30th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Disinformation

Dr. John Strand warned about the strategic risks of relying on Chinese technology in national digital infrastructure. He explained that modern societies depend on deeply interconnected telecommunications networks and cloud systems for essential services such as payments, healthcare, government data, and machine-to-machine communication. Because of this dependence, using equipment from untrusted vendors creates vulnerabilities that go far beyond espionage—authoritarian states could potentially shut down networks, block software updates, or exert political pressure through digital dependence.

Dr. Strand highlighted that many Latin American governments store sensitive citizen data in Chinese cloud services, often without full awareness that China’s 2017 National Security Law obligates companies to share information with the government. He also noted the growing presence of Chinese AI applications that collect extensive personal data and store it in mainland China, a trend that has prompted bans by several democratic institutions.

He pointed to the EU’s 5G Toolbox as a model for restricting high-risk vendors and reviewed global efforts by the United States, Europe, and Australia to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology—measures that have already slowed China’s progress and reshaped global supply chains.

Dr. Strand concluded by urging countries to strengthen digital security, choose technology partners aligned with democratic values, and recognize that Chinese apps and devices are already harvesting user data today.