Artificial Intelligence: Australia's China AI Quandary is a Dealmaker's Opportunity
Australian Financial Review
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- Date Published
- 7 July 2025
- Priority Score
- 3
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 13 July 2025, 01:15 pm
Description
It would take a dramatic shift to start collaborating with China on AI infrastructure, but when it comes to advances in capability it is risky to ignore them.
Summary
The article highlights the complex relationship between Australia and China regarding AI technology collaboration within the context of international trade agreements. It discusses the potential risks and benefits of collaborating with China on AI infrastructure, such as data centers. This topic is pertinent to global AI safety discourse as it reflects geopolitical considerations affecting technological growth and safety standards. The piece underlines the necessity for Australia to balance national security concerns with strategic technological advancements. While the article does not delve deeply into specific existential AI risks, it provides a nuanced perspective on the governance challenges in cross-national AI partnerships.
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TechnologyAIPrint articlePaul SmithTechnology editorJul 8, 2025 – 4.54pmSaveLog inorSubscribeto save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?LoginIt is not surprising that reactions to Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian’s suggestion that Australia and China cooperate more on artificial intelligence as part of an expanded Free Trade Agreement have been hawkish. However, it highlights the need for Australian organisations to broaden their view on the AI world.It would take a dramatic shift in policy position for Australia to suddenly start collaborating with China on AI infrastructure such as data centres and the equipment that runs them. But it would be wrong to assume that advances in capability will always come from America first.Loading...Paul Smithedits the technology coverage and has been a leading writer on the sector for 20 years. He covers big tech, business use of tech, the fast-growing Australian tech industry and start-ups, telecommunications and national innovation policy.Connect withPaulonTwitter.EmailPaulatpsmith@afr.comSaveLog inorSubscribeto save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreAIAnalysisChina relationsDonald TrumpTrump diplomacyTrump's White HouseTrump's AmericaFetching latest articlesWhat lurks beneath the stand-off over Sydney’s $750m new fish marketPrimrose RiordanWhy these Australian wines are at risk of extinctionHow much to tip? And other restaurant conundrums to chew onHow the AFL’s introverted CEO will win over NSW and QueenslandPatrick DurkinHere’s what a top-50 CEO looks likeThere are only 6 openly gay directors on the ASX. Paul Zahra hopes to change thatWalking isn’t merely exercise for this CEO – it’s spiritualLife & LeisureThis small but perfectly formed SUV is the perfect entry-level EVHow this pioneering wine estate is reinventing itself – againPerichs’ dairy giant hands on Vic farm to Qld egg producerNick LenaghanTreasury’s charity tax plan splits wealthy familiesInvestor son of secretive mining heiress comes back into the fold