Chinese developers now have navigated recent restrictions imposed by OpenAI.
Despite OpenAI's efforts to block access to its API in certain regions, including China, the South China Morning Post reports that developers across the country are using virtual private networks (VPNs) and third-party services to continue accessing the AI models.
This photograph taken in Mulhouse, eastern France on October 19, 2023, shows the ChatGPT logo reflected in mirrors. SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images
Chinese Developers Skirts OpenAI Restrictions
OpenAI announced that starting July 9, it would block connections to its API from unsupported regions, which include China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Despite these measures, OpenAI remains accessible through certain Chinese VPN services that advertise ChatGPT access.
According to the SCMP, seven developers from cities such as Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Dalian continue to use these methods to bypass restrictions. They often link their accounts to foreign mobile numbers, complicating efforts to detect the origin of the connection.
Chinese Tech Companies Capitalize on OpenAI Exit
This decision to block access is part of broader geopolitical tensions between the US and China. The US government has restricted the export of advanced semiconductors to China, crucial for training cutting-edge AI technology.
Chinese AI companies have quickly moved to capitalize on OpenAI's exit from the market. At the recent World AI Conference in Shanghai, SenseTime, a leading Chinese AI firm, showcased its first real-time multimodal model, SenseNova 5.5, which it claims is comparable to OpenAI's GPT-4.
To attract users transitioning from OpenAI, SenseTime is offering 50 million free tokens and free migration services. Other domestic AI giants like Baidu, Zhipu AI, and Tencent Cloud have also launched aggressive initiatives to capture the displaced user base.
Baidu is offering 50 million free tokens for its Ernie 3.5 AI model, Zhipu AI provides 150 million free tokens, and Tencent Cloud is giving away 100 million tokens to new users until the end of July.
Despite the immediate disruptions, many Chinese developers are preparing for the long-term impacts. Some developers are exploring alternatives like Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 3.5, which, despite its restrictions, has been praised for its capabilities.
Others are considering switching to domestic AI platforms that are improving their technologies to match international standards.
However, these transitions are not without challenges. The use of unapproved VPNs remains illegal in China, and publicly available large language models must be licensed.
Winston Ma, a professor at New York University, notes that this situation presents a "short-term shock" but a potential long-term opportunity for Chinese large language models to prove their capabilities in real-world applications.
The competition between US and Chinese AI firms is intense, with China holding 130 large language models, accounting for 40% of the world's total. Additionally, the country is now home to over 4,500 AI companies.
While US companies like OpenAI lead in generative AI, Chinese firms are increasingly closing the performance gap and offering competitive services, often at lower costs.
