The Chinese government has issued a stark warning about the potential global dangers posed by what it describes as the “uncontrolled development” of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States.
Speaking to Russia’s TASS News Agency, Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, criticised American tech firms for placing profits above public safety, alleging that the U.S. approach to AI is increasingly reckless and profit-driven.
“In the United States, the development of artificial intelligence is largely determined by profit-driven interests,” Zhang said. He pointed to recent reports of AI-generated harm, including cases where teenagers allegedly took their own lives after interactions with AI chatbots developed by American companies.
Ambassador Zhang also referenced the January 1, 2025 explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. He described the incident as “the first-ever [attack] planned using ChatGPT,” calling it a “shocking event” that underscores the risks of unchecked technological advancement.
He warned that if left unregulated, AI could lead to “tragic consequences” and potentially become “a disaster for human civilisation.”
In contrast, Zhang highlighted China’s approach to AI safety and governance, including the introduction of the “Basic Safety Requirements for Generative Artificial Intelligence Services” in March 2024. He also referenced the AI Safety Governance Framework released in September 2024, which introduced a tiered, category-based management system for AI development and deployment in the country.
Zhang concluded by urging global leaders to adopt stricter oversight and ethical frameworks to prevent future disasters linked to AI misuse.
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