Silicon Valley splits over closing the borders to Chinese AI

Choose editionSingaporeInternationalIn recent weeks, the Chinese start-ups Z.ai and Moonshot AI released artificial intelligence models that rival those from American labs. PHOTO: AFPMike Isaac, Kate Conger, Ana Swanson and Meaghan TobinPublished Jul 26, 2026, 07:45 AMUpdated Jul 26, 2026, 07:45 AMSilicon Valley is divided between companies like Anthropic and OpenAI that want strict control over AI for safety, and others like Microsoft and Nvidia who support open-source AI for innovation.Chinese AI startups have rapidly advanced open-source models, prompting US firms to accuse them of stealing data and lobbying for regulatory action to protect American intellectual property.US leaders, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, consider sanctions against Chinese firms, while supporters argue open-source drives faster, safer AI development and opposes restricting information sharing.SAN FRANCISCO – For years, a philosophical divide over how artificial intelligence software should be created has split Silicon Valley technologists.Last week, that argument reached a boiling point.See more onGet unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroomNews titles published by SPH MediaMDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.