China: AI Race and Security Regulation

On Weibo, the discussion surrounding the dangers of AI alternates between skepticism and technological patriotism. While American AI figures are calling for a slowdown, political leaders in Beijing and Washington are showing their determination to move forward. In Beijing, state security advocates for increased control in light of the risks of manipulation and "cognitive warfare."

Beijing Hardens Its Security Tone, Washington and Beijing Maintain Their Pace

Political leaders in the United States and China have shown little appetite for slowing down the AI race. This week, Donald Trump stated that "whoever wins AI, wins." Xi Jinping, for his part, asserted that AI must continue to progress and serve the public good within a people-centered governance framework. Beijing simultaneously indicates that it does not underestimate the risks. On Sunday, State Security Minister Chen Yixin warned about deepfakes, AI-generated misinformation, and "intelligent online armies," described as threats to political stability and factors of "cognitive warfare." He called for strengthened state control for "healthy and orderly" development, with the well-being of all humanity as a guiding principle.

Distrust Towards Calls for a Slowdown from Silicon Valley

Several internet users doubt that the warnings about slowing down are primarily aimed at preventing a catastrophe. One user in Beijing argues that, despite public calls to suspend development, American companies and institutions are heavily investing in AI and are primarily concerned about the speed of their competitors. A user from Hebei compares the situation to a long-distance race where one seeks to slow everyone down by invoking risks.

Industrial Confidence and Productivity: Models and Uses Highlighted

Other voices present the Chinese trajectory as pragmatic. Bloggers cite local models, including Ox Alpha, and emphasize the deployment of large models in factories, warehouses, and delivery services. For these internet users, the measure is based on productivity, not rhetoric. Recent publications from DeepSeek and Moonshot AI are also highlighted as signs of rapid progress in cutting-edge AI in China.

Supply Chains and Temporary Advantage Considered Determining Factors

Messages from Guangdong suggest that Chinese production remains indispensable to the United States, making it difficult to impose restrictions without hindering their own progress in AI. These same sources warn that American companies are likely to catch up, as uncertainty could accelerate supply chains and give American players time to increase their production capacity.

Employment and Redistribution: Taxing the Winners of AI, Betting on the "Manual"

Internet users acknowledge that AI will eliminate jobs. A user from Guangdong argues that every technological revolution has already eliminated positions and advocates for taxing companies that benefit from the boom to redistribute income to society, citing the positive local impact of a Fortune 500 company's establishment. A user from Zhejiang believes that China is well-positioned because practical and manual skills are harder to automate, and the country is benefiting from a boom fueled by AI infrastructure and computing power.

A Massive Online Debate, Fueled by International Calls for Caution

The debate mixes skepticism, optimism, and concerns, with some believing that American caution seeks to slow down China, while others see it as a window of opportunity. "If they don't advance, we will," writes one user. Recent statements from Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk calling for better management of the pace of AI and warning about the gap between capabilities and security have fueled discussions. On Weibo, the theme "AI in China, AI in the United States" has concentrated exchanges on national ambition, competition, and employment. For a user from Hebei, if the United States stopped improving its AI software, it would be a "historic opportunity," even suggesting a 10-year horizon for the possible obsolescence of competitors.