Security Paradigms in China’s AI Governance: A Strategic Review

Year 2025, Issue: Yeni Medya Çalışmaları, 719 - 750, 28.09.2025

Gülşah Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1735363

Abstract

This study aims to examine the People's Republic of China's artificial intelligence (AI) governance strategies within the framework of security paradigms. The study questions how China positions AI technologies in the context of national security, ideological integrity, and digital authoritarianism. Based on the concepts of structural realism and ontological security, the study analyzes strategic documents such as the “Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan” issued under the leadership of Xi Jinping, and reveals that China uses AI beyond economic development to strengthen regime continuity and national sovereignty. The findings indicate that digitalization serves as a normative security discourse, supporting China's emerging digital authoritarian model. These strategies contribute to the formation of new security-focused norms in global AI governance. The study examines the impact of China's technology and security integration on international digital governance, envisioning a security-centered transformation in AI governance.

Keywords

China , Artificial intelligence , Security dilemma , Ontological security , Digital authoritarianism , Xi Jinping.

Çin’in Yapay Zekâ Yönetişiminde Güvenlik Paradigmaları: Stratejik Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti’nin yapay zekâ (AI) yönetişim stratejilerini güvenlik paradigmaları çerçevesinde incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, Çin’in AI teknolojilerini ulusal güvenlik, ideolojik bütünlük ve dijital otoriterlik bağlamında nasıl konumlandırdığını sorgulamaktadır. Yapısal realizm ve ontolojik güvenlik kavramları temelinde, Xi Jinping liderliğinde yayımlanan “Yeni Nesil Yapay Zekâ Gelişim Planı” gibi stratejik belgelerinin analiz edildiği çalışma, Çin’in AI’yı ekonomik kalkınmanın ötesinde, rejimsel sürekliliği ve ulusal egemenliği güçlendirmek için kullandığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bulgular, dijitalleşmenin normatif bir güvenlik söylemi olarak işlev gördüğünü ve Çin’in yükselen dijital otoriterlik modelini desteklediğini göstermektedir. Bu stratejiler, küresel AI yönetişiminde güvenlik odaklı yeni normların oluşumuna katkıda bulunmaktadır. Çalışma, Çin’in teknoloji ve güvenlik entegrasyonunun uluslararası dijital yönetişim üzerindeki etkilerini tartışarak, AI yönetişiminde güvenlik eksenli bir dönüşüm öngörmektedir.

Keywords

Çin , Yapay Zekâ , Güvenlik İkilemi , Ontolojik Güvenlik , Dijital Otoriterlik , Xi Jinping.

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