Chinese military researchers used artificial intelligence models developed by leading U.S. technology companies to boost defence capabilities despite Washington’s efforts to restrict China’s access to advanced American technology, according to a newly published Reuters investigation.
US restrictions failed to stop China from using American AI to strengthen its military, even as Beijing expands its defence footprint in Africa
- Chinese military researchers used U.S.-developed AI models for defense research despite American restrictions.
- Researchers from China’s PLA accessed these models indirectly via open-source weights or model distillation techniques.
- There is no evidence that U.S. tech companies such as OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic knowingly assisted the PLA.
- Simultaneously, China is expanding its defense footprint in Africa, becoming a key military supplier and operating a base in Djibouti.
The findings highlight the growing challenge facing the United States as it tries to prevent cutting-edge AI from strengthening China’s military capabilities.
The United States has tried to stop AI tech sales to China.
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For example, the Trump administration temporarily paused sales of Nvidia’s custom H20 AI chips to China in early 2025.
When sales resumed under new rules, experts warned that blocking computer hardware alone cannot stop AI software and models from crossing borders and according to the study that warning has proved to be true.
AI has become a key area of competition between the world‘s two largest economies, with both countries investing heavily in technologies that could reshape future warfare.
Reuters reported that researchers linked to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) used AI models from U.S. companies, including OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic, in studies involving military applications.
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According to Reuters, “Sunny Cheung, a Jamestown fellow who analysed over 60 of the papers, said Chinese military scientists are systematically capturing the reasoning steps of Western models to adapt them for surveillance, cyber warfare and tactical decision-making.”
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The study show how difficult it has become for Washington to enforce restrictions designed to keep advanced American AI technology out of China’s military research pipeline.
U.S. officials have argued that powerful AI systems could improve intelligence gathering, battlefield planning, autonomous weapons, and cyber operations, making export controls a key part of the country’s national security strategy.
The development comes as China expands its defence presence across Africa through arms exports, military training, and security partnerships.
Beijing has become one of the continent’s largest suppliers of military equipment, exporting fighter aircraft, drones, armoured vehicles, naval vessels, and air-defence systems to several African countries.
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Nigeria and Algeria are among the largest African buyers of Chinese military equipment, while Tanzania and several other countries have strengthened defence ties with Beijing through military training, joint exercises, and security cooperation.
China also operates its first overseas military base in Djibouti, giving it a strategic presence near one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
