The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions on the network security announcement related to the distillation activities of Chinese artificial intelligence enterprises in the United States released by the United States
Q: On September 8th Eastern Time, the National Security Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Federal Bureau of Investigation jointly issued a statement accusing Chinese artificial intelligence companies of conducting "industrial scale" distillation in the United States to obtain cutting-edge model capabilities, and proposing relevant defense measures to American companies. What is China's comment on this?
Answer: We have noticed the relevant situation. The Chinese side believes that the accusation made by the US that Chinese artificial intelligence companies are engaged in "industrial scale" distillation of American models is unfounded and has no legal basis. The US move is politicizing and instrumentalizing the normal technical and commercial issues of distillation in the industry, and applying double standards in practice. The US announcement is another clear evidence of its pursuit of technological hegemony, monopoly of computing power, and suppression of competition in the field of artificial intelligence. China firmly opposes this.
Distillation is a common practice in the field of artificial intelligence where various models learn from each other. Essentially, it is a neutral technical means that is used by global model companies, including American companies. This technological approach can help models improve learning efficiency, achieve more efficient utilization of human knowledge, and have positive implications for the development of artificial intelligence industries in various countries, unleash the potential of artificial intelligence technology, bridge the development gap, and benefit developing countries and the general public more widely.
The US approach is a typical double standard. For artificial intelligence, China encourages open source, collaboration, and sharing. Chinese open source models are open to global enterprises, including American companies, to facilitate the development of related models. US companies have also disclosed in their model development reports that they have distilled a large number of Chinese models. On the other hand, the US has repeatedly unilaterally accused Chinese companies of engaging in "industrial scale" distillation, smearing industry practices as aggressive behavior, reflecting both the US's anxiety and double standards.
The US approach is a typical practice of monopolizing the industry under the guise of cracking down on distillation. The announcement issued by the US security department is to link the interests of individual enterprises and capital with national security, and to use state power institutions to interfere with normal commercial activities. We have noticed that some artificial intelligence companies in the United States have abused their competitive advantage by setting broad geographical restrictions and other domineering clauses in user agreements. The US distillation allegations suggest endorsement of these tyrannical clauses.
The US approach is a typical use of national power to maintain technological hegemony and computing power monopoly, and suppress competition. Since the beginning of this year, the US executive and legislative branches have frequently issued sanctions and threats against Chinese companies' distillation behavior, with the aim of suppressing competition and maintaining the US monopoly in computing power and data. Only the US can win, not humanity. This has turned the global artificial intelligence resources that should have been openly and fairly obtained into exclusive resources for a few companies, and prevented other countries from participating in the universal sharing of artificial intelligence innovation achievements.
At present, the large model industry is in a critical period of technological iteration, risk recurrence, and growth and development. As major powers, China and the United States should handle the challenges and risks faced in the field of artificial intelligence with a positive and responsible attitude. The two heads of state have agreed to engage in intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence. China is willing to engage in constructive and professional discussions with the United States through dialogue based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. But if the US takes action to suppress Chinese artificial intelligence companies under the pretext of cracking down on distillation, China will take resolute measures to counter it. We hope that the US and China will move towards each other, control risks through dialogue and communication, and promote the global benefits of the artificial intelligence industry.