Chinese authorities have deployed an AI-powered big data system to monitor ethnic Chinese populations living abroad. According to documents obtained by the monitoring group NetAskari, the platform analyzes vast amounts of internet data to identify individuals of political or economic interest, including experts in the semiconductor and AI sectors.
The system operates from a 500-square-meter facility equipped with server racks and at least 100 staff members. It aggregates information from social media platforms, utilizing proxy servers located outside of China to bypass restrictions. The collected data is then transmitted to China for translation, keyword extraction, and relationship mapping.
The United Front Work Department (UFWD) uses the generated analytical reports to influence public narratives and develop strategies for engaging with influential figures. These efforts include identifying potential assets or individuals who may be drawn into intelligence activities, as well as tracking specific professionals, such as executives at Skymizer and Microsoft.
While the UFWD has historically conducted such operations, the implementation of automated systems has significantly increased the speed and scale of their work. The documents, which date back to 2021, suggest that the platform may have been further enhanced by the integration of large language models in the years since.
