China Advises AI Leaders to Avoid US Travel, Citing Security Risks
Chinese authorities are advising leading artificial intelligence entrepreneurs and researchers to refrain from traveling to the United States, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper reported on Friday that the move is driven by concerns over potential security breaches and diplomatic leverage.
Authorities fear that Chinese AI experts could inadvertently disclose sensitive information regarding the nation’s advancements while abroad. The Journal also noted concerns that executives could be detained and used as bargaining chips in ongoing U.S.-China negotiations. This situation is reminiscent of the detention of a Huawei executive in Canada at the request of the United States during the Trump administration.
File photo shows Chinese President Xi Jinping addressing business leaders in Beijing.
The U.S. and China are engaged in a global competition in the field of AI. A recent development saw Chinese startup DeepSeek releasing AI models that the company claims are comparable to, or even superior to, those of U.S. industry leaders such as OpenAI and Alphabet Inc’s Google, but at a lower cost.
Neither the White House nor China’s State Council Information Office, which handles media inquiries for the government, have responded to requests for comment from Reuters.
On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of improving China’s overall security, including in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. According to China’s state broadcaster, Xi told top Communist Party officials, “We should give top priority to defending the country’s political security.”
Last month, the Chinese leader held a rare meeting with some of the most prominent figures in the technology sector, encouraging them to “show their talent” and express confidence in China’s economic model and market.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Chinese executives who choose to travel are now required to report their plans before leaving and, upon returning, must brief authorities on their activities and meetings. The report also noted that DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng declined an invitation to an AI summit in Paris in February. Additionally, another founder of a major Chinese AI startup canceled a planned trip to the U.S. last year, following instructions from Beijing.
