OpenAI plans to block users in China from accessing ChatGPT services, even though they aren’t officially available there. Users and developers in China have been accessing ChatGPT via the company’s API, but this will change soon.
According to a report by the Securities Times, a Chinese state-owned newspaper, OpenAI has started emailing users in China outlining its plans to block access beginning July 9.
An OpenAI spokesperson told Reuters, “We are taking additional steps to block API traffic from regions where we do not support access to OpenAI’s services.” This move could significantly impact several Chinese startups that have built applications using OpenAI’s large language models.
Although OpenAI’s services are available in more than 160 countries, China is not one of them. According to the company’s guidelines, users attempting to access OpenAI’s products in unsupported countries could face blocking or suspension. However, the company has not explicitly enforced this until now.
What prompted OpenAI to take this action is still being determined. Last month, the company revealed that it had stopped covert influence operations, including one that originated from China, which used its AI models to spread disinformation across the internet. Bloomberg noted that OpenAI’s decision coincides with increasing pressure from Washington on American tech companies to limit China’s access to advanced technologies developed in the United States.
The decision to block API traffic from China is expected to have a profound impact on Chinese startups that have integrated OpenAI’s technology into their applications. These companies will now need to find alternative solutions or face potential disruptions in their services.
OpenAI’s relationship with China has been complicated. Despite the widespread interest and demand for AI models, the company has refrained from officially offering its services in China. This is partly due to the complex regulatory environment and the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States and China.
Broader geopolitical factors may also influence the timing of OpenAI’s decision to block access in China. The US government has been increasingly wary of China’s technological advancements and has imposed various restrictions on importing critical technologies. OpenAI may align itself with these broader national security concerns by blocking access to its services in China.
As the July 9 deadline approaches, it remains to be seen how Chinese users and developers will adapt to the loss of access to OpenAI’s API. Some may turn to domestic alternatives, while others may seek ways to circumvent the restrictions, demonstrating the resilience of the tech community.
