AI ‘warning shots’ focus Beijing on national security risks

A Huawei booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 1 | REUTERS

AFP-Jiji

Sep 20, 2026

Beijing – While AI researchers in the United States fret over out-of-control superintelligence wiping out humanity, Chinese policymakers have until now been more focused on immediate risks — from deepfakes to child safety.

But the alarming hacking abilities of top artificial intelligence models are leading Beijing to see the dangers in a new light, with the spy agency chief warning last week that the technology could jeopardize national security.

The potential vulnerability of Chinese mega-app WeChat was also revealed recently when a small team of programmers in California said it had used AI to build a cyberattack “worm” that, if unleashed, could easily compromise millions of WeChat accounts.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.