China News Service, Beijing, September 9 (Reporter Yin Qianyun) Regarding the U.S.’s cybersecurity announcement related to Chinese artificial intelligence companies’ distillation activities in the U.S., a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce of China stated on the 9th that the relevant U.S. announcement is 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.
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 obtain U.S. cutting-edge model capabilities and proposing relevant defense measures to U.S. companies.
The spokesperson said that 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 spokesperson mentioned that distillation is a common practice for mutual learning between models in the field of artificial intelligence. It is essentially a neutral technical method and is used by global model companies, including US 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 spokesperson pointed out that 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 U.S. approach is a typical industrial monopoly in the name of cracking down on distillation." The spokesperson said that the U.S. issued an announcement by the security department to tie the interests of individual companies and capital to national security and use state power agencies 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 spokesperson emphasized that the US approach is a typical use of national 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, growth and development." The spokesperson said that 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. (over)
