Human-Centric Versus State-Driven: A Comparative Analysis of the European Union's and China's Artificial Intelligence Governance Using Risk Management

This research examines the contrasting artificial intelligence (AI) governance strategies of the European Union (EU) and China, focusing on the dichotomy between human-centric and state-driven policies. The EU's approach, exemplified by the EU AI Act, emphasizes transparency, fairness, and individual rights protection, enforcing strict regulations for high-risk AI applications to build public trust. Conversely, China's state-driven model prioritizes rapid AI deployment and national security, often at the expense of individual privacy, as seen through its flexible regulatory framework and substantial investment in AI innovation. By applying the United States' National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework's Map, Measure, Manage, and Govern functions, this study explores how both regions balance technological advancement with ethical oversight. The study ultimately suggests that a harmonized approach, integrating elements of both models, could promote responsible global AI development and regulation.