China warns of “national security risks” from AI

China's Ministry of State Security warned on Wednesday of the risks associated with the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) , warning that the technology could threaten social stability, the protection of sensitive data and national security.

In a statement released on the social network WeChat, the ministry recognized the benefits of AI for economic and social development, but stressed that its improper use can facilitate the spread of disinformation and other harmful activities.

Chinese authorities have said that AI systems capable of generating manipulated content — combining deep learning algorithms with falsified images, sounds or videos — could be used by foreign entities to “instigate unrest” among the Chinese population .

Although ultra-realistic content generation techniques have legitimate applications in the film, advertising, and video game industries, the ministry warned that their illicit use could violate individual rights and be used to "confuse public opinion."

The statement also highlights that generative AI systems are capable of collecting, storing, and even disclosing sensitive personal data, which could be used by foreign intelligence services to carry out “subversion, infiltration, and sabotage activities” in China.

Another point of concern is algorithms manipulated with ideological bias, which can serve to spread “biased ideologies.”

The Ministry of Security urged the population to strengthen their ability to "distinguish the veracity" of information and reiterated the need to ensure that the use of AI respects the principles established by the authorities.

Since 2023, China has imposed regulations on artificial intelligence services, requiring these platforms to respect "fundamental socialist values" and prohibiting the generation of content that undermines national security, territorial unity, and social stability.

Despite the rapid growth of the AI sector in the country, with chatbots developed by companies such as Alibaba, DeepSeek, Tencent, and Bytedance , doubts remain regarding the application and effectiveness of these technologies in an environment heavily controlled by state censorship.

The Ministry of State Security frequently uses its official WeChat account to publicize espionage cases and urge citizens to be vigilant, encouraging them to be wary of suspicious job offers , especially from abroad, and to avoid sharing confidential information online .

In 2023, the ministry called for the mobilization of all of society to “prevent and combat espionage” and announced measures aimed at “strengthening national defense” against “foreign intelligence activities.”