Chinese military researchers reportedly relied on artificial intelligence models developed by leading American technology companies to support defence-related research despite US efforts to restrict Beijing’s access to advanced AI technology.
The revelation emerged in a Reuters investigation, raising fresh concerns about the effectiveness of Washington’s export controls aimed at preventing cutting-edge AI from enhancing China’s military capabilities.
The United States has tightened restrictions on the transfer of advanced AI technologies to China in recent years. Earlier in 2025, the Trump administration temporarily suspended sales of Nvidia’s H20 AI chips to China before allowing exports to resume under revised regulations.
Despite those measures, experts have long argued that limiting access to hardware alone would not prevent AI software and language models from reaching Chinese researchers, a concern the Reuters investigation suggests has become a reality.
Artificial intelligence has become a major area of strategic competition between the United States and China, with both countries investing heavily in technologies expected to shape future military operations.
According to Reuters, researchers linked to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) used AI models developed by US companies, including OpenAI, Meta and Anthropic, in research involving military applications.
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.”
The findings underscore the growing difficulty facing US authorities in preventing advanced AI technology from being incorporated into China’s military research programmes.
US officials have consistently argued that sophisticated AI systems could significantly improve intelligence gathering, battlefield planning, autonomous weapons development and cyber operations, making export restrictions an important part of the country’s national security strategy.
The report also comes as China continues to strengthen its defence footprint across Africa through arms sales, military training and security partnerships.
Beijing has become one of Africa’s leading suppliers of military hardware, exporting fighter jets, drones, armoured vehicles, naval platforms and air defence systems to several countries across the continent.
Nigeria and Algeria remain among the largest African importers of Chinese military equipment, while Tanzania and other countries have expanded military cooperation with Beijing through joint exercises, training programmes and broader security partnerships.
China also maintains its first overseas military base in Djibouti, giving it a strategic presence near one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
