Does artificial intelligence improve social stability risk performance in China?

This paper examines whether and how artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to improving the social stability risk level in China. Against the backdrop of rapid digital transformation and increasingly complex governance challenges, AI has been widely adopted in areas such as public security, social management, and risk monitoring. However, its actual effectiveness in mitigating social stability risks remains underexplored. Drawing on panel data from multiple regions in China, this study constructs an empirical framework to evaluate the impact of AI policy on social stability risk levels. The analysis integrates indicators of technological capacity, governance performance, and socio-economic conditions, and applies quantitative methods to identify both direct and indirect effects. The findings suggest that AI policy significantly reduces social stability risks by promoting digital economy development, increasing wage levels and investment in education. At the same time, the results reveal notable regional heterogeneity. The AI policy significantly reduces social stability risk in the central and western regions, and areas with moderate digital economy development, but has no statistically significant effect in economically developed and digitally advanced areas. The study also highlights potential challenges, including data governance concerns and uneven technological access, which may offset some of AI's benefits. This research contributes to the literature by linking technological innovation with social governance outcomes and provides policy implications for leveraging AI to promote social stability. It suggests that policymakers should not only invest in AI infrastructure but also address institutional and regional disparities to ensure inclusive and effective risk management.