AI News: China Restricts AI Leaders’ U.S. Travel Over Security Fears
China is restricting its top artificial intelligence researchers and entrepreneurs from traveling to the United States.
AI executives and those from the robotics industry have been advised not to travel to the U.S. unless absolutely necessary.
Key Points
Chinese authorities worry that their AI experts may inadvertently reveal sensitive information about the country’s economic progress while abroad.
Another major worry is that executives could be detained and used as leverage in U.S.-China negotiations.
If AI executives and those from the robotics industry must travel to the U.S., they have to report to authorities on their plans to leave and return including details on what they did and who they met overseas.
Key AI executives have already started changing their travel plans. Liang Weifang, the founder of DeepSeek, declined an invitation to an AI summit in Paris in February.
Another leading AI entrepreneur scrapped a planned U.S. trip last year following Beijing’s instructions.
Impact of China’s travel restrictions for its AI experts
The restrictions come as the global AI race heats up, with China’s top startups, including DeepSeek, asserting that their models rival or even surpass those of U.S. tech giants like OpenAI and Google—at a fraction of the cost.
China’s travel sector has voiced concerns about the potential impact of the government’s travel restrictions, warning that they could reduce opportunities for cross-border innovation and networking.
Meanwhile, some speculate that Western nations might respond by imposing similar travel restrictions on Chinese entrepreneurs.
The travel industry also fears that government interference in international travel could persist for months.
Some travellers believe the US could even impose visa limitations on Chinese AI experts or introduce strict export controls on AI-related technologies.
With growing tensions between the two nations, any retaliatory measure could worsen their divide.
News Gist
China is restricting AI and robotics executives from U.S. travel over fears of sensitive data leaks and potential detentions.
Authorities require detailed reports, prompting key figures to cancel international trips.