Chinese tech giants, startups seek clarity as Beijing plans AI export curbs amid US rivalry

China’s proposed artificial intelligence export curbs will push a business model favoured by Beijing and the industry’s biggest players: keeping valuable technology at home while selling access to it abroad as rivalry with the US intensifies.

The draft rules, released on October 16, distinguish between foreign customers using Chinese AI services and foreign companies obtaining the models, data or expertise needed to operate or reproduce them independently.