China adopts open-source AI to challenge US dominance

The United States has been taking measures to limit the influence of Chinese technology, especially in artificial intelligence (AI). This includes tariffs and blacklisting large companies to protect US interests. However, China is responding by finding ways to navigate these restrictions and expand its market presence. Chinese tech giants like Baidu and Tencent have developed their own large language models (LLMs). This progress comes after two years of US dominance in AI. China's introduction of models like DeepSeek has surprised many in the Western tech industry, despite ongoing hardware sanctions against them. While the US is tightening restrictions and limiting access to AI source code, China is adopting a different strategy. Their AI sector is embracing open-source models. This allows for greater collaboration and flexibility in AI development, which is crucial for addressing cybersecurity issues. In recent weeks, companies such as Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent have released various AI models that anyone can download and modify. This open approach allows for faster growth and innovation. It also enables China to bypass US sanctions and foster widespread AI development. If Chinese open-source AI becomes competitive with US proprietary models, it could disrupt the current market where technology is often sold as exclusive products. This shift may change the balance of power in AI development, challenging the traditional model of a few companies dominating the field. The ongoing evolution of AI will be a critical aspect of the technological rivalry between the US and China. The coming months promise to be significant for AI, accompanied by broader geopolitical tensions.