BLUF
Xi Jinping’s purges have removed many experienced military leaders. This article argues China is increasingly relying on AI to compensate for weakened command structures, with political pressure distorting the data those AI systems depend upon.Learning Outcomes
- Assess the relationship between China’s military leadership purges and the PLA’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, and how both reflect efforts to maintain political control while managing concerns about operational competence.
- Analyse the PLA’s stated doctrine on human command and AI-enabled warfare, including why Chinese military publications consistently argue that responsibility, accountability, and final decision-making must remain with human commanders.
- Evaluate the risks posed by distorted reporting and poor data quality to military AI systems, particularly how political pressures, leadership purges, and organisational culture may undermine the effectiveness of AI-supported decision-making.
