China Restricts AI Experts’ US Travel Over Security Concerns

China has reportedly instructed its top artificial intelligence (AI) entrepreneurs and researchers to avoid traveling to the United States due to concerns over national security, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Authorities fear that Chinese AI experts could disclose sensitive information or face detention, potentially being used as leverage in U.S.-China negotiations. This caution follows the high-profile case of a Huawei executive’s arrest in Canada at Washington’s request.

Executives in AI and other critical industries, such as robotics, are advised against visiting the U.S. and allied nations unless necessary. Those who do travel must report their plans beforehand and debrief officials upon return.

According to the report, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng declined an invitation to an AI summit in Paris, and another AI startup leader canceled a planned U.S. trip last year after receiving directives from Beijing.

The U.S. and China are fiercely competing in the AI sector, with China’s DeepSeek recently unveiling AI models claimed to rival OpenAI and Google at a fraction of the cost.

In February, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with top tech leaders, urging them to harness their talents and strengthen China’s tech industry. The move underscores Beijing’s determination to advance AI development while safeguarding national interests.