Beijing has held a series of meetings with leading Chinese technology companies over the past month to discuss restricting foreign access to the country’s most advanced artificial intelligence models, including those yet to be released. The talks mark a significant escalation in China’s efforts to keep cutting-edge AI technology within its borders.
The discussions, which were led by China’s Ministry of Commerce, involved tech giants such as Alibaba and ByteDance, as well as the startup Z.ai, Reuters reported. The proposals under consideration include treating any leak or theft of proprietary AI technology as a crime under China’s strict national security law.
Strategic shift in AI policy
China’s approach mirrors that of the United States, which has also placed its most advanced artificial intelligence under tight export controls. Since the release of DeepSeek’s R1 model last year, Chinese AI models have gained global popularity due to their low cost and rapidly improving capabilities. Any decision by Beijing to restrict access to these products could have wide-ranging implications for global AI markets, likely driving up costs for many companies.
Officials also raised the possibility of introducing new measures to limit foreign funding for domestic AI startups, according to a source familiar with the matter. The scope of the potential restrictions is still being debated, and it remains unclear when – or even if – they will be implemented.
Uncertainty over implementation
The restrictions may apply only to future models and will not necessarily affect those already available. Participants in the meetings discussed limitations on both closed-source and open-source models, a move that could reshape the competitive landscape of the AI industry. DeepSeek, which has been at the forefront of China’s AI push, could be directly affected if the rules are enacted.
– We are treating AI as a national strategic resource, just like rare earths or semiconductor technology – said a source close to the Chinese government, commenting on the motivation behind the talks.
The potential restrictions come as China seeks to maintain its technological edge while preventing foreign competitors from benefiting from its state-backed research. The global AI community is watching closely, as any significant barriers could fragment the current open ecosystem that has driven rapid innovation in recent years.
Źródło: Reuters, Fot. Shutterstock
