Apple is partnering with the Chinese corporation Alibaba to launch an AI-equipped iPhone in China, raising concerns among the U.S. government and Congress. There are fears that by collaborating with a leading Chinese information technology corporation, Apple may ultimately contribute to the strengthening of China's military capabilities.
According to the Daily New York Times (NYT) on the 18th, the media reported, citing three sources, that White House and congressional officials have been closely reviewing Apple and Alibaba's collaboration plans over the past few months as of the 16th (local time).
Officials from the White House and the House Select Committee on U.S.-China Strategic Competition reportedly met directly with Apple executives to intensively inquire about the partnership terms, what specific data Apple would share with Alibaba, and whether they would sign a legal contract with Chinese regulatory authorities. However, sources said that Apple executives mostly failed to adequately answer these questions during a meeting in Washington, D.C., in March.
U.S. Congress and government officials are reportedly concerned about how the collaboration between Apple and Alibaba could significantly enhance China's AI capabilities, the increased market share of Chinese chatbots imposed under various censorship restrictions, and Apple's greater exposure to China's censorship and data-sharing regulations. Accordingly, the Trump administration discussed whether to prohibit Chinese AI corporations like Alibaba from engaging in transactions with U.S. companies, NYT reported.
The U.S. Department of Defense and intelligence agencies are reportedly closely investigating the relationship between Alibaba, the Chinese Communist Party, and the People's Liberation Army. As the military utility of AI continues to grow, the close cooperation between Apple and Alibaba in AI has raised concerns among Washington's political circles. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, stated, "Apple's lack of transparency about the terms of its agreement with Alibaba is shocking."
He noted, "Alibaba is a symbolic corporation of the Chinese Communist Party's military-civil fusion strategy," adding that there are substantial concerns that this partnership will assist Alibaba in collecting data to improve its AI models, while Apple may turn a blind eye to the fundamental rights of iPhone users in China.
Greg Allen, director of the Center for AI at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), also pointed out that Apple's collaboration with Alibaba directly undermines bipartisan efforts by the U.S. government to slow down China’s AI development. Allen stated, "In a situation where the U.S. is competing with China in AI, we do not want American corporations to aid the advance of Chinese corporations."