China is developing a highly secretive artificial intelligence, which is combining human cognitive ability and machines. The project, which is referred to as cognitive integration, attempts to connect human brains and AI systems on a direct basis. Existing and objectives of a project are major targeted areas of current intelligence determination.

Highlights:

• Western intelligence confirms a clandestine Chinese AI program focused on human-machine fusion.
• The project explicitly targets direct linkage between human brains and AI.
• Its primary goal is achieving operational "cognitive integration."
• Development centers on neural interface technology and biocompatible AI.
• Military applications are a significant driver for the project.

The described program is meant to make a major leap above existing brain-computer interfaces. Its goal is a smooth, two-way communication that integrates human mind and AI calculation. To reach such a stage of cognitive integration would demand substantial progress in translating and decoding neural activity and creating secure, lasting neural implants that are competent with AI.

It concentrates its energies on military applications. It may be that successful cognitive fusion would allow physically controlling more complex machines such as drone swarms or even advanced aircraft more directly with mind. This possibility of a military superiority is what analysts say is a key reason behind the huge funding of the project and the high security aspect to it. The program is a strategic move in the field of AI development.

Such a quest of deep cognitive integration brings to the fore ethical and safety issues. There are issues about possible neurological consequences of implants, new levels of surveillance which have never been known before, and general questions about the nature of human identity. All this makes it tricky to provide the international ethical guard rails needed on such high-level human-AI fusion technology as the project is secret.