China Restricts AI Leaders to Avoid US Travel Citing Security Concerns
A report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) states that Chinese officials have ordered the nation’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and top executives not to travel to the United States, citing increasing security fears. The new order is prompted by a fear that AI professionals might inadvertently share valuable information on China’s technological progress or be used as bargaining chips in U.S.-China geopolitics during detention. The WSJ’s report recalls the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada at the behest of U.S. authorities in the early Trump administration, which escalated tensions between the two countries. With China and the U.S. engaged in a fierce AI race, Beijing is becoming more sensitive to the openness of its AI industry to foreign influence.
The issue is especially urgent as Chinese startup DeepSeek has recently launched AI models that aim to match or exceed top U.S. firms such as OpenAI and Google but at much lower prices. The U.S. government has imposed limits on China’s access to advanced AI technology, further fueling the technology rivalry. Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed national security as a top priority while meeting with Communist Party officials and instructed them to prioritize cybersecurity and AI threats. As reported by the WSJ, Beijing has also ordered AI leaders who go overseas to preannounce their travel schedule and debrief the authorities after returning.
According to WSJ sources, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng turned down an invitation to an AI conference in Paris earlier this year after the government’s advice. Another founder of a leading Chinese AI company is said to have canceled a scheduled U.S. visit last year after being instructed by Beijing. The White House and China’s State Council Information Office have not commented on the WSJ report. Beijing, however, is adamant about strengthening control over its AI industry and ensuring that China’s progress in the sector remains protected from foreign interference.
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