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In recent weeks, the Chinese start-ups Z.ai and Moonshot AI released artificial intelligence models that rival those from American labs.

PHOTO: AFP

Mike Isaac, Kate Conger, Ana Swanson and Meaghan Tobin

Published Jul 26, 2026, 07:45 AM

Updated Jul 26, 2026, 07:45 AM

Silicon Valley is divided between companies like Anthropic and OpenAI that want strict control over AI for safety, and others like Microsoft and Nvidia who support open-source AI for innovation.
Chinese AI startups have rapidly advanced open-source models, prompting US firms to accuse them of stealing data and lobbying for regulatory action to protect American intellectual property.
US leaders, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, consider sanctions against Chinese firms, while supporters argue open-source drives faster, safer AI development and opposes restricting information sharing.

AI generated

SAN FRANCISCO – For years, a philosophical divide over how artificial intelligence software should be created has split Silicon Valley technologists.

Last week, that argument reached a boiling point.

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MDDI (P)

046/10/2025

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202120748H

2026

Silicon Valley splits over closing the borders to Chinese AI