Chinese Officials Advise AI Experts Against Traveling to U.S.

BEIJING, China — Chinese authorities are advising the country’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) entrepreneurs and researchers to refrain from traveling to the United States, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on March 1. This guidance stems from concerns over potential disclosures of sensitive information regarding China’s AI advancements and fears of detainment amid ongoing U.S.-China geopolitical tensions.

The report cites unnamed sources who indicate that there is growing apprehension within the Chinese government that AI experts could inadvertently share proprietary knowledge while abroad. Such concerns are heightened by past incidents—most notably, the detention of a Huawei executive in Canada at the behest of U.S. authorities during the Trump administration.

In the face of a competitive global AI landscape, Chinese startups like DeepSeek have begun launching AI models that assert capabilities rivaling established U.S. companies such as OpenAI and Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc. Notably, these Chinese developments are claimed to be produced at significantly lower costs.

Along with the travel advisory, Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of national security, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and AI. During a recent meeting with high-ranking officials from the Communist Party, Xi underscored, “We should give top priority to defending the country’s political security.” This statement highlights the government’s commitment to protecting its technological advancements.

Executives who opt to travel are now required to notify authorities of their travel plans prior to departure and provide detailed accounts of their engagements upon returning. This stricter oversight is intended to mitigate the risks associated with international travel amid rising tensions.

DeepSeek’s founder Liang Wenfeng reportedly declined an invitation to an AI summit in Paris last month, demonstrating the impact of these new directives. Additionally, another prominent founder of a Chinese AI company canceled a planned trip to the U.S. last year following similar instructions from Beijing.

The White House and China’s State Council Information Office have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding this development. As governmental scrutiny increases, the landscape for Chinese tech leaders may shift significantly, impacting international collaborations and information exchanges.