New Delhi, Aug 1 — Even as China presents itself as a global champion of low-cost, open-source artificial intelligence, the Chinese Communist Party is increasingly concerned that advanced AI could undermine its control over information and national security, according to a new report.

A New York Times report said party officials fear that sophisticated AI systems could be exploited by hackers for cyberattacks, scams and terrorism while also bypassing censorship. Authorities are also concerned that advanced AI could assist in the development of dangerous biological agents.

At a recent cybersecurity conference in Beijing, Chinese experts reportedly warned about the risks of deepfakes, data breaches and AI data poisoning, noting that such tools could spread information that challenges the Communist Party’s version of events.

China’s ministry of state security has indicated that hostile forces could use AI to disseminate information about domestic protests, the treatment of Muslim ethnic groups or Taiwan in ways that contradict official narratives. AI data poisoning, which involves manipulating training data to influence model responses, has raised particular concern that chatbots could generate politically sensitive or anti-government content.

Beijing has promoted low-cost, open-source AI as an outreach strategy to developing countries, drawing parallels with its Belt and Road Initiative. Unlike closed systems, open-source models can be downloaded, modified and used by anyone, including after safety protections are removed.

As AI capabilities advance, the Chinese leadership faces a dilemma: whether to continue promoting open technology to compete in the global race or to tighten controls in order to safeguard the Communist Party’s hold on power.

The report noted that the administration blocked a Singapore-based AI acquisition on national security grounds in April and has held meetings with leading domestic AI firms to discuss restricting foreign access to top models.

The findings highlight the tension between China’s ambitions to lead in accessible AI technology and its determination to maintain strict oversight of information flows and potential security risks.