In a surprising twist, OpenAI has unveiled plans to cut off access to its tools and software in China starting in July, sparking a flurry of reactions from the tech community. The news, leaked through screenshots of a memo shared on social media, indicates OpenAI’s intent to block users from countries where its services aren’t officially available.
Chinese tech giants, including Alibaba Group and Tencent, have quickly responded by encouraging developers to switch to their platforms. This development aligns with increasing U.S. government pressure to restrict China’s access to advanced AI technologies.
Although OpenAI has not explicitly stated the reasons for this move, it comes amid heightened tensions and efforts by the U.S. to prevent China from acquiring technologies that could be used to challenge U.S. national security. Despite OpenAI’s services not being officially available in China, many developers have circumvented this restriction using virtual private networks (VPNs).
This decision is part of a broader trend among U.S. tech companies, including Google, to bolster security measures amidst rising concerns about Chinese espionage. Previously, OpenAI had reported instances of its AI models being exploited by networks linked to China, Russia, Iran, and Israel for spreading disinformation.
(Source: Bloomberg | SCMP)
