Question: On September 8, Eastern Time, the U.S. National Security Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the FBI jointly issued an announcement accusing Chinese artificial intelligence companies of carrying out "industrial-scale" distillation of the United States to acquire cutting-edge model capabilities and proposing relevant defense measures to U.S. companies. What is China’s comment on this?
A: We have noticed the relevant situation. China believes that the US accusation that Chinese artificial intelligence companies are engaged in distilling beauty models on an "industrial scale" is unfounded and has no basis in law. This move by the US is to politicize and instrumentalize distillation, a normal technical and commercial issue in the industry, and to apply double standards in practice. The relevant announcements from the United States are yet another clear example of its pursuit of technological hegemony, monopoly on computing power, and suppression of competition in the field of artificial intelligence. China firmly opposes this.
Distillation is a common practice for models to learn from each other in the field of artificial intelligence. It is essentially a neutral technical method and is used by global model companies, including U.S. companies. This technical means can help models improve learning efficiency and achieve more efficient utilization of human knowledge. It is of positive significance to countries developing artificial intelligence industries, releasing the potential of artificial intelligence technology, bridging the development gap, and benefiting developing countries and the public more broadly.
The US approach is a typical double standard. For artificial intelligence, China encourages open source, cooperation and sharing. China’s open source models are open to global companies, including U.S. companies, to facilitate the research and development of related models. Reports on model research and development by US companies also revealed that they distill a large number of Chinese models. On the other hand, the United States has repeatedly unilaterally accused Chinese companies of engaging in "industrial-scale" distillation and smeared common industry practices as offensive behavior. This not only reflects the anxiety of the United States, but also reflects double standards.
The US approach is a typical industrial monopoly in the name of cracking down on distillation. The announcement issued by the security department of the United States is to tie the interests of individual companies and capital to national security and use the country's powerful institutions to interfere with normal commercial activities. We have noticed that some artificial intelligence companies in the United States abuse their competitive advantage and set overbearing clauses such as broad geographical restrictions in user agreements. The relevant distillation accusations by the United States are suspected of endorsing these overbearing clauses.
The US approach is a typical use of state power to maintain technological hegemony and computing power monopoly and suppress competition. Since this year, the U.S. executive and legislative bodies have frequently issued threats of sanctions and suppression against the distillation practices of Chinese companies. The purpose is to suppress competition and maintain the U.S. monopoly in computing power and data. Only the United States can win alone, not all mankind. It turns global artificial intelligence resources that should be openly and fairly accessible into the exclusive resources of a few companies, and prevents other countries from participating in the inclusive sharing of artificial intelligence innovation results.
Currently, the large model industry is in a critical period of technological iteration, risk iteration, and growth and development. As major countries, China and the United States should handle the challenges and risks facing the field of artificial intelligence in a positive and responsible manner. The two heads of state have agreed to launch an intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence. China is willing to conduct constructive and professional discussions with the United States through dialogue based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. However, if the United States takes actions to suppress Chinese artificial intelligence companies in the name of cracking down on distillation, China will definitely take resolute measures to counter it. It is hoped that the United States and China will meet each other halfway, manage risks through dialogue and communication, and promote the artificial intelligence industry to benefit the world.
