The competition between the American and Chinese spy agencies is reminiscent of the Cold War rivalry between the KGB and the CIA. However, China's economic boom and industrial policies have enabled the MSS to use emerging technologies to challenge American spymasters in ways the Soviets could not. Both nations are vying for technological supremacy, with the MSS intensifying its intelligence collection on American companies developing technology with both military and civilian uses, while the CIA is focusing on collecting data on Chinese companies developing AI, quantum computing, and other tools.
Key takeaways:
- The Ministry of State Security (M.S.S.), China's main intelligence agency, is using advanced technology including AI to compete with the United States in intelligence gathering and espionage.
- The M.S.S. has developed an AI system that tracks American spies and others, according to U.S. officials and a person with knowledge of the transaction.
- The U.S. has increased its spying on Chinese companies and their technological advances, with a particular focus on AI, quantum computing and other emerging technologies.
- The competition between the American and Chinese spy agencies is reminiscent of the Cold War rivalry between the K.G.B. and the C.I.A., but with the added element of technological advancement.