Why Britain should reject the lure of cheap – and scary – Chinese AI
In the west the technology comes with at least some effort to provide security and a benign intent – not so from China There is much to fear from artificial intelligence developed in China and handed to businesses and governments in the west almost free of charge. Every month Chinese AI developers such as DeepSeek and Xiaomi dispatch the latest versions of their “open-weight” models that allow…
Western AI technology comes with a commitment to security and a purposeful intent, unlike its Chinese counterpart. Chinese AI developers, like DeepSeek and Xiaomi, provide "open-weight" models for free, enabling users to access and utilize the core software without incurring expensive licensing fees. In Britain, we commonly embrace low-cost Chinese products, often disregarding the conditions under which they were produced and who was responsible.
The debate over allowing Chinese electric cars unrestricted access to British retail forecourts exemplifies this mindset. These vehicles are more affordable than alternatives available in the UK, prompting the question: what is not to like? However, cheap Chinese AI poses a more significant threat, as it could further intensify Beijing's economic ambitions.
The Chinese government's strategy to become a global economic powerhouse is increasingly reliant on AI, which allows them to exert unprecedented surveillance capabilities. These tools enable the monitoring of citizens' activities, and while the average person may not experience a full-scale surveillance state, dissidents are identified and dealt with accordingly.
Chinese AI contributes to the suppression of political dissent and the consolidation of power within the Communist Party. While the Chinese government seeks to broaden its network of allies through initiatives like the Belt and Road, they also aim to solidify their position as the leading provider of AI technology. The rapid release of AI models by Chinese developers at a fraction of the cost of their US counterparts raises concerns about data privacy and security.
Chinese AI models are linked to potential data sharing with the Chinese state, posing a significant risk to policymaking. The UK should avoid the temptation to adopt cheap Chinese AI systems and focus on strengthening US AI capabilities while supporting its domestic and European counterparts. Relying on Chinese technology, including AI, could lead to the erosion of industries and compromise the security of our data.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
