Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming societies, economies, and political systems worldwide, and China is emerging as a central actor in shaping the governance of these technologies. This lecture series explores the multiple dimensions of AI governance in China, from state regulation and the role of AI in public administration to societal engagement with AI technologies.

The lectures highlight how China’s AI ambitions intersect with broader global trends and geopolitical tensions. The rise of generative AI has intensified the U.S.–China technological and strategic competition, introducing new complexities to the traditional security dilemma. At the same time, Chinese efforts to regulate and promote AI domestically reflect broader concerns over economic competitiveness, social stability, and regime security. The BCCN lecture series shed light on how AI is reshaping power relations, technological competition, and everyday life.

Join us online and in person for six lectures featuring leading scholars, including: Jinghan Zeng (City University of Hong Kong), Hui Zhou and Genia Kostka (Freie Universität Berlin) and Angela Huyue Zhang (USC Gould School of Law), Eddie Yang (Purdue University), David Yang (Harvard University) and Jeffrey Ding (George Washington University). More info on the 2026 lectures will be announced soon.

Hosted by the Berlin Contemporary China Network (BCCN), the China Competence Training Center (CCTC) and SCRIPTS, the 2025/26 winter term lecture series is conceptualized by Prof. Dr. Genia Kostka and Anton Bogs from Freie Universität Berlin.

You can register for the lectures here. 

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November 3, 12:15–13:45 CET (online and in person at Freie Universität Berlin)
Security Dilemma and the US–China Generative AI Race

Jinghan Zeng (City University of Hong Kong)

 

December 4, 14:15–15:45 CET (online)
From Virtual Assistants to Intimate Partners: Factors Driving Chatbot Adoption and How Users Develop Emotional Attachment to Chatbots

Hui Zhou and Genia Kostka (Freie Universität Berlin)

 

December 11, 18:15–19:45 CET (online)
The Promise and Perils of China's Regulation of Artificial Intelligence

Angela Zhang (University of Southern California)

 

December 18, 14.15-15.45 CET (online)

Propaganda is already influencing large language models: evidence from training data, audits, and real-world usage

Eddie Yang (Purdue University)

 

January 15, 2026, 14.15 – 15.45 CET (online)

Reputation Collectives: How International Industry Associations Influence China’s Safety Standards in High-Risk Technologies

Jeffrey Ding (George Washington University)

 

January 22, 2026, 14.15-15.45 CET (online)

Government as Venture Capitalists in AI

David Yang (Harvard University)