Ann Arbor Times

In recent years, China's rapid technological progress has caught global attention. The DeepSeek AI model, developed in China, has emerged as a prominent example, drawing both admiration and concern internationally. This dual response reflects a broader tension in the United States regarding Chinese technological advances, highlighting a mix of fear, competition, and introspection.

A panel of experts at the University of Michigan’s Digital Studies Institute recently discussed these innovations' impact, shedding light on the tensions inherent to the global technology race. Journalist Jeff Yang, author of "Golden Screen," noted China's integration of AI in sectors like healthcare and security, which many in the West perceive as threatening. "China is fearsome not just because it’s innovating but because it seems to be going much faster down that route of integrating technologies," he remarked.

The swift adoption of technology in China contrasts with Silicon Valley's similar enthusiasm for technological progression. However, when China adopts these ideals, it often triggers existential fears in the West. DeepSeek epitomizes this tension.

Tara Fickle, associate professor of Asian American Studies at Northwestern University, described DeepSeek as "innovation," indicating a shift from the traditional view of China as merely a manufacturing hub. This change challenges Western perceptions of technological superiority, creating "a sense of cognitive dissonance."

Fickle also addressed "techno-Orientalism," a term reflecting Western views of East Asia, particularly Japan and China, through a lens connecting technology with exoticism and dehumanization. China serves as a "mirror of cultural conceit," reflecting Western anxieties about data harvesting, surveillance, and automation.

Ian Shin, assistant professor of American culture at the University of Michigan, offered a historical perspective, linking these technological concerns to earlier fears of foreign innovation. He referenced the murder of Vincent Chin during an era when Japan's auto industry's rise incited U.S. fears. Shin suggests that fears over Chinese technological achievements, as seen with DeepSeek, echo historical patterns of nationalistic backlash against foreign advances.

Commenting on security concerns, Shin noted how the U.S. government often invokes national security to justify policies, sometimes manipulatively. He criticized this zero-sum mentality and advocated for security based on abundance and interdependence. Yang expanded on this, highlighting how national security is used to justify xenophobic policies against Asian Americans, fostering racial stereotypes and paranoia.

Fickle added that the rise of AI has introduced new complexities to national security discussions. She emphasized the need for critical thinking and digital literacy to protect against manipulation while noting that displacing these fears onto China hinders effective solution development.