From restricting chip supplies to potential bans on artificial intelligence models, the question arises whether a policy built on zero-sum logic is accelerating the erosion of the United States' technological superiority.
Citing national security, the US is considering tightening rules against Chinese companies operating in the field of artificial intelligence and against imports of related technologies. According to a CGTN survey, 83.5 percent of internet users from various parts of the world fear that the United States is retreating from openness and moving toward technological protectionism. Respondents said this trend could harm the global development of artificial intelligence.
The value of artificial intelligence lies not only in supporting the development of individual countries or companies. Its significance also stems from its ability to unlock global innovation potential through open collaboration.
Open-weight models have significantly lowered the barriers to AI adoption. They have allowed more countries, businesses, and developers to participate in its use at lower costs.
A total of 89.6 percent of respondents stated that AI models must remain open in order to continue developing through practical use, feedback from a broad user base, and collaboration.
Respondents reject unilateral sanctions
The United States is meanwhile considering further restrictions targeting the Chinese artificial intelligence sector, including a possible ban on Chinese open-source models.
In response, 89.7 percent of survey participants favored resolving AI-related intellectual property disputes through international rules rather than unilateral sanctions.
A total of 90.1 percent of respondents believe that claims about an alleged "threat from Chinese AI models" are not primarily about security, but about Washington's effort to maintain full control over the artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Another 88.7 percent of respondents stated that AI innovation should build on humanity's shared scientific and research achievements, rather than being monopolized by a single country.
Restrictions may also harm American innovation
The United States has long invoked national security and intellectual property protection when introducing export controls, investment reviews, and sanctions.
According to the article, these measures restrict global technology exchange while simultaneously weakening the American innovation ecosystem itself.
The coalition known as Little Tech, representing nearly 200 startups from Silicon Valley, recently called on the US government not to restrict domestic companies' access to Chinese open-weight AI models.
According to the coalition, these models are important for innovation and startup growth.
This position was also supported by 82.1 percent of survey respondents. They believe that restricting AI development in other countries or closing off access to open models could harm the entire AI ecosystem and global innovation.
A total of 86.2 percent of respondents stated that open collaboration and sharing of technological results will better support AI development than decoupling economies and technological systems.
The survey was published on CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms. Within 24 hours, 4,717 internet users participated by voting and sharing their views.
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