US-China AI fight splits Silicon Valley over open-source models
Why it matters: Chinese startups Z.ai and Moonshot AI have narrowed the gap with US labs, fueling calls for sanctions and tighter controls.
A fast-moving debate over Chinese artificial intelligence has widened a long-running split in Silicon Valley, as some US companies push for tighter controls while others defend open-source development. In recent weeks, Chinese startups Z.ai and Moonshot AI released models that US executives view as competitive with leading American systems. Companies including Anthropic and OpenAI favor stricter limits tied to safety and intellectual property, while Microsoft and Nvidia argue open-source tools speed innovation. The dispute has reached Washington, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is weighing possible sanctions on Chinese firms.