All posts tagged: China

OpenAI says China-based actors stoking opposition to AI data centres | Technology

OpenAI says China-based actors stoking opposition to AI data centres | Technology

Published by Sam Flores

China-based actors are likely behind the use of ChatGPT for “covert influence operations” aimed at stoking opposition to data centres in the United States, OpenAI has said. In a research report released on Wednesday, the company behind the world’s most popular AI chatbot said it had banned a cluster of accounts likely based in China for attempting to “manipulate a legitimate debate about American AI”. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list OpenAI, whose release of ChatGPT in 2022 kicked off a global frenzy around AI, said the accounts were used to generate social media comments and images that blamed data centres for rising electricity prices in communities across the US. Among other content, the accounts generated a comic strip showing a cigar-chomping businessman holding bags marked with dollar signs as a family reacted in shock to their electricity bill, according to the San Francisco-based company. OpenAI said a second cluster of accounts had generated content casting US tariffs as an effort to “dominate technological competition” with China, and specified that the material should …

Tech moguls claim China funds U.S. data center opposition : NPR

Tech moguls claim China funds U.S. data center opposition : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Protesters hold signs in front the of the Utah State Capitol building to oppose the construction of the Stratos data center in Box Elder County on May 23, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tech millionaires claim China is behind a wave of local opposition to U.S. data centers, while providing little direct evidence. Natalie Behring/Getty Images North America hide caption toggle caption Natalie Behring/Getty Images North America Speaking at an event titled “Harnessing American Power” last month, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressed dismay at what he saw as a new wave of local opposition to data centers in America. What’s more, he claimed, not everything was as it seemed. “It’s not organic and local, some of this is foreign-sourced dark money,” he told the crowd. He isn’t alone in his suspicions. Over on the podcast All-In, which is hosted by a group of tech multimillionaires who call each other “besties,” there was also talk of foreign influence, specifically from China. “It is starting to feel or seem like there might be a CCP-funded campaign,” …

China Opens World’s First Wind-Powered Underwater Data Center

China Opens World’s First Wind-Powered Underwater Data Center

Published by skeptic

China has become the first country in the world to operate an underwater data center, or UDC, powered by wind. Located off the coast of Shanghai, the complex represents a significant advance in the country’s strategy to secure energy supplies in the face of the accelerated growth of artificial intelligence, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and reduce the environmental impact of its technology infrastructure. The initiative is the result of a collaboration between private company HiCloud Technology and state-owned China Communications Construction, which involved an investment of 1.6 billion yuan, equivalent to about $236 million. With an initial capacity of 24 megawatts, the facility is submerged at a depth of 10 meters in the Lin-gang Special Zone, within the China Pilot Free Trade Zone in Shanghai. This location allows seawater to be used as a natural cooling system, reducing the proportion of energy used to cool the infrastructure to less than 10 percent. This feature solves one of the main energy consumption challenges of conventional data centers, where air conditioning systems typically account for 40 …

China re‑centers North Korea ties as nuclear silence reshapes balance : NPR

China re‑centers North Korea ties as nuclear silence reshapes balance : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, Chinese President Xi Jinping (center left) shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (center right) during a welcome ceremony in Pyongyang on Monday. 朝鮮通信社/KCNA via KNS via AP hide caption toggle caption 朝鮮通信社/KCNA via KNS via AP SEOUL/SHANGHAI — The leaders of China and North Korea reaffirmed their alliance this week in Pyongyang, emphasizing strategic cooperation while avoiding public discussion of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. The two-day trip — President Xi Jinping’s first to North Korea in nearly seven years — comes shortly after his summit with President Trump in Beijing, where the White House said both sides agreed on the shared goal of denuclearizing North Korea. Beijing did not publicly echo Washington’s claim. And this week in Pyongyang, Xi made no public mention of denuclearization. Instead, Xi focused on China’s “firm commitment to safeguarding the shared interests of the two countries and preserving a favorable strategic environment,” according to Chinese state media. North Korea’s state media, meanwhile, quoted leader Kim Jong Un …

Taiwan fires Himars missiles towards China

Taiwan fires Himars missiles towards China

Published by Sam Flores

Taiwan has fired dozens of rockets from an American missile system in China’s direction for the first time. The US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) was fired on Wednesday as part of a two-day drill held around Taiwan’s central Taichung city. The drill took place along a 12-mile front of “red beaches”, coastal areas across the country considered the most likely landing spots for a Chinese invasion. The Himars is one of the most important systems in Taiwan’s arsenal and would be critical in defending against a Chinese attack. The military also fired its domestically produced Thunderbolt-2000 rocket system, US-made Paladin howitzers and anti-tank guided missiles. “The live-fire exercise was based on a scenario simulating an enemy amphibious force attempting to invade the central region,” according to a readout from Taiwan’s ministry of national defence. The drills were set to “enhance the effectiveness of combat-oriented training, enabling officers and men to recognise that ‘everywhere is a battlefield, and training is constant’”, the readout said. While Taiwan has test-fired its Himars system before, it has …

The latest entrant to China’s companionship economy: AI toys

The latest entrant to China’s companionship economy: AI toys

Published by Sam Flores

Zhu believes the toy will serve only as a temporary companion during a particular stage of a child’s development and will not distort the child’s understanding of real-world relationships.    “Our core job is to play the right part matching their development stage,” he said.  CHINA’S HUNT FOR ‘EMOTIONAL VALUE’  AI companion toys are part of China’s growing emotional economy – a segment of consumption driven primarily by emotional and psychological needs.  In this case, that need is companionship.  “Emotional value” will become increasingly important over the long term, said Zhang Tianbing, Deloitte China’s consumer industry leader.  On the supply side, businesses are creating products that evoke emotional connections in order to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.  On the demand front, Zhang said a more individualised generation facing economic uncertainty and slower growth is turning to products and services that provide comfort and a sense of stability.  “Both the conflicted world and the prevalence of social media – which seems to have connected a lot of people — have in reality isolated people …

China Unveils Nuclear-Powered Floating Hub For Green Shipping

China Unveils Nuclear-Powered Floating Hub For Green Shipping

Published by Jenni Sidey

China has proposed a large offshore logistics platform powered by nuclear energy that would function as both a cargo transfer hub and a refuelling/charging centre for ships, according to the South China Morning Post. The concept, unveiled by Jiangnan Shipyard, combines port infrastructure, energy generation, and cargo handling into a single floating facility aimed at reducing emissions in maritime transport. The project was presented at the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition in Greece. The SCMP writes that the platform would rely on a molten salt reactor as its primary energy source, supplemented by renewable technologies including solar and wind power. It would also feature systems for hydrogen production, synthetic green fuels, and electricity distribution. According to the company, the facility could generate clean power and fuels such as ammonia for both terminal operations and electric support vessels. Jiangnan argues that molten salt reactor technology offers significant safety benefits because it is resistant to conventional meltdown scenarios and the coolant solidifies quickly if released, limiting the potential impact of leaks. Designed to support international shipping lanes, coastal …

ICE car sales continue to plummet in China, the top 16 cars are now EVs

ICE car sales continue to plummet in China, the top 16 cars are now EVs

Published by skeptic

Every one of the top sixteen cars sold in China was an EV in May according to China Passenger Car Association data, as gasoline-powered cars continue their structural decline in the world’s largest auto market. China set a new milestone in May, reaching a new high of 62.9% NEV market share, up from 61.4% just last month. China counts both BEVs and PHEVs under the same “NEV” category. This was enough to kick every single gas-powered vehicle out of the monthly top ten list. Last month, there was one ICE-powered straggler left, the Geely Coolray, but this month, they’re all NEVs. The top ten now reads: Advertisement – scroll for more content Geely EX2: 38,751 units Tesla Model Y: 28,911 units Xiaomi SU7: 24,023 units Leapmotor A10: 22,306 units Li Auto Li i6: 20,878 units Tesla Model 3: 18,370 units Wuling Hongguang Mini: 18,308 units Aito M6: 18,148 units (BEV/EREV) BYD Yuan Up: 17,043 units Fang Cheng Bao Bao 7: 16,247 units (PHEV) In fact, it’s not just the top ten list that’s missing gas …

Alibaba, Baidu, BYD named on Pentagon’s China military list

Alibaba, Baidu, BYD named on Pentagon’s China military list

Published by Sam Flores

A general view of the office building of Baidu is in Pudong, Shanghai, on Feb. 9, 2026. Ying Tang | Nurphoto | Getty Images The Pentagon added a slew of Chinese companies, including Alibaba Group, Baidu Inc and carmaker BYD, to a list of entities it believes have aided the Chinese military, complicating the fragile diplomatic relationship between Washington and Beijing. The Defense Department published an updated “1260H list” Monday evening stateside — a roster of companies the Pentagon considers affiliated with China’s military or defense industrial base. The designations do not impose sanctions explicitly, but mean the Defense Department will be prohibited from contracting directly with listed companies starting later this month, and from procuring their products or services through third parties beginning in June 2027. “These indirect restrictions could force some U.S. firms that work with the U.S. military to drop designated Chinese firms as suppliers,” said Michael Hirson, head of China Research at 22V Research. Baidu’s American depositary receipts dropped 2.1%, Alibaba slumped 0.8% and BYD slid 0.8%. The additions come after President …