3 days ago
Federal Register Removes Chinese AI Search Tool Amid Security Concerns
A US government website briefly used an AI tool made by a Chinese company.
The tool helped people search public information about proposed rules.
The company that made it is Alibaba, and the AI model is called Qwen.
The FBI recently accused Alibaba of copying technology from a US company called Anthropic.
China’s embassy said that accusation was unfounded.
The tool was removed after people noticed it online.
Some experts said the tool may not have created a major immediate security problem because the information was already public.
Other officials worried that using Chinese AI could make the US government more dependent on Chinese technology.
They also questioned whether government data might have been sent to Alibaba-controlled systems.
The Federal Register website briefly offered an Alibaba Qwen-powered tool to search proposed federal regulations and public comments.
The tool was removed Wednesday after social media posts highlighted its availability; its deployment date was unclear.
The FBI recently accused Alibaba of copying Anthropic’s AI technology, allegations China’s embassy called unfounded.
Experts said the tool may have posed limited immediate risk because the website’s material was already public.
Officials and lawmakers questioned whether using Qwen contradicted US warnings about dependence on Chinese AI models.
- Who
- The National Archives, which operates the Federal Register, used Alibaba’s Qwen model; US officials, lawmakers, and security experts commented on the decision.
- What
- A Chinese AI-powered search tool was briefly available on the Federal Register website and was then removed.
- Where
- On the Federal Register website in the United States.
- When
- The tool was available on Wednesday and taken down later that day; the deployment date was unclear.
- Why
- It was offered to help users search proposed federal regulations and public comments, but its use prompted national-security and policy concerns.
Security and Independence Concerns
Limited Immediate Risk
Use of Chinese AI in government
Security and Independence Concerns
Representative John Moolenaar argued that no federal entity should use a Chinese AI model because doing so could increase government dependence on Chinese technology.
Limited Immediate Risk
Supporters of the deployment could point to Qwen’s open-weight design, which can run on an organization’s own infrastructure and provide greater control over data.
Cybersecurity risk
Security and Independence Concerns
Senator Mark Warner said the risk depends on whether US data left the government’s security boundary and was processed on Alibaba-controlled systems.
Limited Immediate Risk
Professor Anupam Chander said the use did not appear to create an immediate cybersecurity risk because the Federal Register’s content was already public.
Policy consistency
Security and Independence Concerns
Critics said using Qwen conflicted with US warnings that Chinese companies were copying American AI technology and posed strategic risks.
Limited Immediate Risk
The tool’s use may be viewed as a practical, lower-cost option because open-weight models can be modified for specific purposes.
Key facts
- Website operator
- The Federal Register is run by the National Archives.
- AI model
- Alibaba’s Qwen, described as an open-weight model.
- Availability
- The Qwen-powered search tool was visible Wednesday and removed later that day.
- Primary content
- The tool helped users browse proposed regulations and public comments.
- FBI allegation
- The FBI accused Alibaba of copying Anthropic’s AI models.
- Chinese government response
- China’s embassy in Washington called the copying allegations unfounded.
- Security assessment
- Experts said immediate risk might be limited because the website’s content was public.
Quotes
Daniel Castro
President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
“It's one of the most insane things I've ever seen.”
firstpost.com
John Moolenaar
Republican US representative from Michigan and chair of the House China Committee
“No federal government entity should use a Chinese AI model. Doing so only makes the federal government more dependent on Chinese AI models and that is not in the national interest.”
firstpost.com
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington
Representative of China’s embassy in Washington responding to copying allegations
“unfounded.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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