OpenAI fingers Beijing-backed Zhipu AI as strong contender despite US ban
The post OpenAI fingers Beijing-backed Zhipu AI as strong contender despite US ban appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Banned in the US, but backed at home, Zhipu AI has been dubbed one of China’s “AI tigers” by local outlets since it burst onto the scene in 2019. Now, it has caught the attention of OpenAI, one of the top AI firms in the United States. Even though DeepSeek grabbed headlines with its R1 model debut in January, Zhipu, together with other Chinese unicorn startups, armed with large language models, is at the core of Beijing’s ambition to challenge the US and wean itself off foreign tech. AI tigers are central in Beijing’s strategy OpenAI’s recent blog post points out that Zhipu is not just another domestic player. State media reports indicate the startup has netted over $1.4 billion from regional governments across China. The firm’s leadership supposedly meets often with Chinese Communist Party officials, Premier Li Qiang among them. That kind of political capital, OpenAI warns, might steer Zhipu into the heart of Beijing’s “Digital Silk Road” push, embedding Chinese AI frameworks in emerging markets before Western rivals can move in. “The goal is to lock Chinese systems and standards into emerging markets before US or European rivals can, while showcasing a ‘responsible, transparent and audit-ready’ Chinese AI alternative.” OpenAI. Beyond China’s borders, Zhipu has planted flags from London to Kuala Lumpur, and from Dubai to Singapore. Joint “innovation centers” now operate in places like Indonesia and Vietnam, further extending its reach. The startup has raised funds from several local governments, according to state media. “Zhipu AI leadership frequently engages with CCP officials, including Premier Li Qiang,” OpenAI claimed, pegging the value of state-backed investments in the startup at over $1.4 billion. The promise is to deliver a “responsible, transparent and audit-ready” AI stack, one that could lock governments into Chinese data standards and infrastructure. Recently the AI…
The post OpenAI fingers Beijing-backed Zhipu AI as strong contender despite US ban appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Banned in the US, but backed at home, Zhipu AI has been dubbed one of China’s “AI tigers” by local outlets since it burst onto the scene in 2019. Now, it has caught the attention of OpenAI, one of the top AI firms in the United States. Even though DeepSeek grabbed headlines with its R1 model debut in January, Zhipu, together with other Chinese unicorn startups, armed with large language models, is at the core of Beijing’s ambition to challenge the US and wean itself off foreign tech. AI tigers are central in Beijing’s strategy OpenAI’s recent blog post points out that Zhipu is not just another domestic player. State media reports indicate the startup has netted over $1.4 billion from regional governments across China. The firm’s leadership supposedly meets often with Chinese Communist Party officials, Premier Li Qiang among them. That kind of political capital, OpenAI warns, might steer Zhipu into the heart of Beijing’s “Digital Silk Road” push, embedding Chinese AI frameworks in emerging markets before Western rivals can move in. “The goal is to lock Chinese systems and standards into emerging markets before US or European rivals can, while showcasing a ‘responsible, transparent and audit-ready’ Chinese AI alternative.” OpenAI. Beyond China’s borders, Zhipu has planted flags from London to Kuala Lumpur, and from Dubai to Singapore. Joint “innovation centers” now operate in places like Indonesia and Vietnam, further extending its reach. The startup has raised funds from several local governments, according to state media. “Zhipu AI leadership frequently engages with CCP officials, including Premier Li Qiang,” OpenAI claimed, pegging the value of state-backed investments in the startup at over $1.4 billion. The promise is to deliver a “responsible, transparent and audit-ready” AI stack, one that could lock governments into Chinese data standards and infrastructure. Recently the AI…
What's Your Reaction?
