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Exporting the Surveillance State via Trade in AI

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Beraja
  • Andrew Kao
  • David Y. Yang
  • Noam Yuchtman
Abstract
We document three facts about the global diffusion of surveillance AI technology, and in particular, the role played by China. First, China has a comparative advantage in this technology. It is substantially more likely to export surveillance AI than other countries, and particularly so as compared to other frontier technologies. Second, autocracies and weak democracies are more likely to import surveillance AI from China. This bias is not observed in AI imports from the US or in imports of other frontier technologies from China. Third, autocracies and weak democracies are especially more likely to import China’s surveillance AI in years of domestic unrest. Such imports coincide with declines in domestic institutional quality more broadly. To the extent that China may be exporting its surveillance state via trade in AI, this can enhance and beget more autocracies abroad. This possibility challenges the view that economic integration is necessarily associated with the diffusion of liberal institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Beraja & Andrew Kao & David Y. Yang & Noam Yuchtman, 2023. "Exporting the Surveillance State via Trade in AI," NBER Working Papers 31676, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31676
    Note: ITI POL PR
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Callen & Jonathan L. Weigel & Noam Yuchtman, 2024. "Experiments About Institutions," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 16(1), pages 105-131, August.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E0 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General
    • L5 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • P0 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - General

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