ChinAI Newsletter

Plus, China's Industry-led AI Security and Safety Commitments.Featured linksAI Safety/Security Governance Research Report (2025)INTENT-FTAI Security and Safety CommitmentsReputation Collectives paperHow China and the US Can Make AI Safer for EveryoneThe (Geo)Political Economy of AI Openness - US and Chinese Open-Source AI Approaches in Historical ContextExclusive - How China built its ‘Manhattan Project’ to rival the West in AI chipsThe Age of Academic Slop is Upon Us Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: January 26th, 2026 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-344-ai-safetysecurity-governance --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksAI Safety/Security Governance Research Report (2025)ChinAI #254ChinAI #3152025 Q1 benchmarkNot Price Alone — Two Inflection Points Behind China’s Robot Vacuum Rise Over iRobotLegal Alignment for Safe and Ethical AIThe Enduring Value of Studying in China — A Conversation with the HNC’s Adam WebbFour young Chinese AI industry leaders hold open discussion (in Chinese) Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- First published: January 19th, 2026 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-343-ai-safetysecurity-governance --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksChinAI #333After my voice was “stolen” by AI, will I be replaced?HEYTEA falls off, DeepSeek Gets Defeated by this Company: Who Won the 2025 Battle of Best Brands?AI Safety/Security Governance Research Report (2025)China’s Venture Capital Market Emerges from WinterThe People who Resist AIThe first state-owned enterprise AI unicorn emerges!ChatGPT, is it trying to “cross the river by feeling for the stones” of Ant AfuAI Verbally Abuses User, Tencent Yuanbao RespondsMiniMax went public (in HK) this morning, and its stock price surged by 80%Comprehensive Computing Power Index Blue Book (2025)ChinAI #159 Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: January 12th, 2026 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-342-around-the-horn-23rd-episode --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

China's new regulations matter but not for the reasons you think.Featured linksAn Initial Look at Companion AI Regulatory Pathways — Big Tech Firms are SleeplessEnglish translationGeopolitechs blogChinAI #271: Key Chinese GenAI Security Standard ChangelogAI Futures Project update to AI 2027The Coder ‘Village’ at the Heart of China’s A.I. FrenzyNesta essayAI toys are all the rage in China—and now they’re appearing on shelves in the US tooThe Race for Global Domination in AI Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: January 5th, 2026 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-341-big-tech-v-the-chinese --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Plus, some AI stories from a Shanghai daily newspaper.Featured linksWhat changes did AI actually bring to scientists this year?400-500 copies Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: December 29th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-340-year-end-reflections-by --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksWhen the Cloud Ecosystem Enters a Governance PhaseAWS resellersAItechtalk articlePurdue effectively bans grad students from China, other countries, faculty say Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: December 15th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-339-chinas-cloud-ecosystem --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksMCP Cools, just One Year after its BirthChinAI #275AAU Expresses Concerns on NDAA’s SAFE Research ActHow China talks about ‘agentic AI’DSET event on Technology and the Rise of Great Powers Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: December 8th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-338-model-context-protocol --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Why Chinese parents have sought out Zebra English's AI tutor Jessica.Featured linksThe First AI English Teacher “Takes Office”The Larger Meaning of China’s Crackdown on School TutoringIn the A.I. Race, Chinese Talent Still Drives American ResearchNew International Student Enrollments Plummeted This Fall, Survey Finds Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration. --- First published: November 24th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-337-chinas-first-ai-english --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Hopes and delusions about China's Little AI Dragons.Featured linksWho will come and challenge OpenAI?ChinAI #313ChinAI #264663B tokens from MiniMaxEmergency Response Measures for Catastrophic AI RiskFrontier AI Risk Management Framework in Practice: A Risk Analysis Technical ReportPresident for LifeTarbell Fellowship Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: November 17th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-336-minimax-as-chinas-openai --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksStanford’s AI Index ReportChinAI #162ChinAI #331The State of Chinese AI Apps 2025Why Trump’s cuts to scientific research are a big win for ChinaA Project is Not a Bundle of TasksThe Cyber Offense-Defense Balance for Trailing-Edge Organizations Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- First published: November 10th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-335-rereading-stanfords-2025 --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksHow a University is “Transforming” its Humanities and Social Sciences ProgramRoundtable Reviews ofThe power of one: How standout firms grow national productivityTranslations: As CAC Tackles “Malicious” Negativity Online, Popular Influencers Zhang Xuefeng, Hu Chenfeng, Lan Zhanfei Hit With BansSecond and Long Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration. --- First published: November 3rd, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-334-how-ai-is-transforming --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Featured linksChili WokChinAI #326The SuperCLUE September 2025 report has been released!ChinAI #324When we talk about “AI Search”, what are we talking about?With state-affiliated investment exceeding 30%, investment is fueling adding fuel to the robotics industryThe most unusual AI money-making scheme has emergedCan (Alibaba’s) Quark succeed as a Chinese ChatGPT?The “Disenchantment and Return to Form” of AI AgentsThese university majors are on the verge of being “occupied” by AIYour agent may be “misevolving”!AI combat in indigenous databasesAfter repeated failures in its strategic competition with China, the US has for the first time revealed the “chess piece” it most wants to win over Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: October 27th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-333-around-the-horn-22nd-episode --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksNew AI PhD grads are “unsellable”ChinAI #111Twitter postRunning the Right AI Race — A National Strategy for AI diffusionIndustrial Policy and Economic Security ConferenceCould the AirPods Pro 3 Mean the End of Subtitles?OPT ObservatoryFirst Key Update to International AI Safety Report Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: October 20th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-332-ai-phd-grads-are-unsellable --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksChinese Public Perceptions and Usage of Generative AIWeChat’s integration of DeepSeekCompute is not the answer to AI sovereigntyThe U.S. Needs A Generative AI Intensity IndexGrant Delays Threaten Cultural and Language Studies ProgramsDeepSeek-R1 incentivizes reasoning in LLMs through reinforcement learningMiles Brundage Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration. --- First published: October 6th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-331-chinese-public-perceptions --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Plus, a deeper dive into the CSRankings methodology.Featured linksEnding CMU’s Dominance, Tsinghua University Takes the Top Spot in CSRankings! Peking University Leads in AICSRankingsHere’sEvery Great Tech Hub Needs RegulationU.S. Loses Appeal for Chinese AI ResearchersUS-China AI Governance PhD FellowshipsCorrection to ChinAI #328 on Cold Reality for Chinese AI Start-ups Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: September 29th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-330-chinese-universities-top --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksMid-Year Review of Major Cloud ProvidersTopology of “China AI”Selective Restraint: How China Regulates Facial Recognition in 2025US-China AI Governance PhD FellowshipsChinAI #305: Computing Power Shifts in the AI Inference Era Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration. --- First published: September 22nd, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-329-chinas-shifting-cloud --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksThe Realities of AI Start-ups in 2025PhD in theoretical computer scienceChina's Big AI Diffusion Plan is Here. Will it Work?ChinAI full translationTaiwan’s “silicon shield” could be weakeningWorking with US CAISI and UK AISI to build more secure AI systemsSilicon Valley enabled brutal mass detention and surveillance in China, internal documents show Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: September 15th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-328-the-cold-reality-for-chinese --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

A Strategic Reading of China’s Three-step AI Strategy for the Next Decade.Featured linksThe Nation Sets the Tone for “AI Plus”Geopolitechs newsletterMeasures for the Security Management of Facial Recognition Technology ApplicationsThe AI Plus initiative – China’s blueprint for AI diffusionChina Has a Different Vision for AI. It Might Be Smarter.Assassin’s Apprentice Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: September 8th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-327-deciphering-chinas-ai --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Featured linksState of AI Safety in China (2025)Worrying example of AI slopLao Dongyan on 2024 and RenewalChinAI #77Political Economy of AI Syllabus Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: August 25th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-325-one-year-later-technology --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Why are Chinese tech giants spending so little on AI Capex?.Featured linksIn this US-China AI race, Chinese internet giants are rapidly becoming marginalizedChinAI #98McKinsey report.China Watching in Chinese - A Guide to Chinese-Language Analysis of Chinese PoliticsBumingbai [不明白播客] podcastTencent Research Institute and Factchecking Platform Jiao Zhen Analyzed 100 Cases of AI-generated DisinformationChinese scientists do a comprehensive safety study of ~20 LLMs – and they find similar things to Western researchersImportAI newsletterHorizon FellowshipHorizon Fellowship Thank you for reading and engaging These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University. Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all). Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 --- First published: August 11th, 2025 Source: https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-323-the-ai-deflation-of-chinas --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.