Strong Reaction from China to Proposal for Slowing Down Artificial Intelligence Development
Beijing criticized the call by a US tech executive to slow down and restrict artificial intelligence technologies.
China reacted to the proposal by Dario Amodei, CEO of US-based artificial intelligence company Anthropic, to slow down AI development and increase restrictions targeting China. Beijing described this approach as a Cold War tactic.
Assessment from Global Times Newspaper
In an opinion piece published in Global Times, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, it was argued that Dario Amodei's real objective was to hinder China's AI development through technological barriers and regulatory monopolies.
Comparison to Cold War Tactics
It was stated that Amodei's remarks targeting China and the conclusions drawn there brought to mind Cold War tactics, and that this silent process was hypocritical and short-sighted.
It was emphasized that excluding China from global AI innovation would significantly increase the risks of trial and error and loss of control.
Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a press conference in Beijing that the development of artificial intelligence is for the well-being of all humanity and that all parties should promote open artificial intelligence.
Guo stated that stoking fears, confrontation, and ruthless competition would serve no purpose other than harming global AI governance.
Proposals by Anthropic's CEO
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned in an article on September 12 that the rapid development of AI could outpace the capacity to understand the systems, and requested that the technology be slowed down to allow for oversight.
Amodei also emphasized that the US administration should strengthen chip export restrictions against China and prevent laboratories in China from stealing data.
Support from Other Company Executives
Elon Musk expressed support for Amodei in a post on the X platform, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that he agreed with the proposal and would take the same step regarding independent evaluation.