China’s spy chief warns foreign ‘hostile forces’ may use AI to ‘fabricate political rumours’

The head of China’s spy agency has issued a stark warning about the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence to the nation's security. In an online article, State Security Minister Chen Yixin highlighted how foreign powers could exploit generative AI to "fabricate political rumours and spread harmful information," threatening China's political, institutional, and ideological stability.

The concern comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to meet US President Donald Trump, with AI governance and safety expected to be among their topics of discussion. Calls for greater oversight of AI technology are growing, particularly as the US and China engage in a technological competition.

Chen emphasized that AI has become "the main battleground for global technological competition and a new track for major power strategic rivalry." He identified specific AI tools, such as Anthropic's Claude Mythos and OpenAI's ChatGPT-5.5-Cyber, as having advanced hacking capabilities that could compromise China's critical information infrastructure.

While he did not advocate for a halt in AI development, Chen stressed that China must secure its technology sovereignty. This includes maintaining control over key resources like advanced computer chips essential for training AI models. The US-Iran war has demonstrated the military value of AI, providing battlefield advantages to those with superior technology. To safeguard its interests, China must ensure independent control of these crucial technologies.