Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.7, 2020

A Preliminary Study of the Intelligence Revolution and National Governance Modernization

(Abstract)

Gao Qiqi

The far-reaching impact of the intelligence revolution is becoming evident in human society. It will necessarily have a profound influence on and participation in the process of national governance modernization. The modernization of national governance aims to construct a balanced nation, the essence of which is a dynamic balance between the state and society. In the context of the intelligence revolution, AI (artificial intelligence) technology has at a minimum contributed to the modernization of national governance in terms of enriching resources, reaching consensus, making full response, etc.; however, it also poses new challenges to national governance in terms of security risks, citizen privacy and equity problems. The characteristics of block chain, including such technologies as distributed ledger, encryption and multiple centers, provide an approach to solving these problems, thus lend support to the development and improvement of systems of order, empowerment and innovation in intelligent society. As a kind of procedural intelligence, AI acts jointly with block chain to strengthen the rigid governance of the state, and is of great significance for the modernization of national governance. However, procedural intelligence tends more toward embodiment of procedural justice, and excessive reliance on procedural intelligence may risk alienation. To achieve substantive justice, we need to keep a balance between rigid and flexible governance. Flexible governance requires a full consensus between the state and society on the definition of some core values, cooperation to ensure human autonomy in governance practice, and the full empowerment of social individuals and the encouragement of innovative behavior of social units based on ensuring the effectiveness of national governance capacity. Therefore, the modernization of national governance supported by the intelligence revolution should not only enhance overall national strength, but also go back to individuals, aiming at the full development and freedom of every individual.