Chinese firm develops AI to predict potential government critics
Geedge Networks reportedly developed an AI system capable of predicting future government critics in China by analysing telecommunications records, social media activity and location data. Researchers warn the technology represents a combination of mass surveillance and AI prediction that could be replicated elsewhere without adequate oversight.
What happened
According to leaked company documents reviewed by The New York Times, Chinese firm Geedge Networks is developing an artificial intelligence-powered surveillance system capable of predicting which citizens may criticise the government in the future.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University said the technology would create detailed profiles of Chinese citizens by combining telecommunications records, social media activity and location data, then use AI models to classify individuals and identify potential dissenters.
Reported impact
Brett J Goldstein, Director of the Wicked Problems Lab at Vanderbilt's Institute of National Security, stated: 'This is what happens when mass surveillance meets AI. Without checks and balances, what China is doing to its own citizens is a preview of what becomes possible anywhere these tools go unchecked.'
Index analysis
Geedge Networks currently sells commercial versions of surveillance and censorship software used by the Chinese government to monitor and control online activity. Geedge researchers reportedly began building behavioural profiles in 2024, using large datasets collected from online platforms and telecommunications networks.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.