A US government website briefly featured an AI search tool developed by Alibaba, despite recent FBI allegations that the company copied US technology.
Key facts
- •The Federal Register website used Alibaba's Qwen model to help users search for proposed federal regulations.
- •The tool was taken down on September 16 after social media users identified its presence.
- •The FBI recently accused Alibaba of copying AI models from the US company Anthropic.
- •The National Archives and the White House did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
- •Qwen is an open-weight model that can be modified and run on private IT infrastructure.
The Federal Register, a US government website managed by the National Archives, recently utilized an AI search tool powered by Alibaba's Qwen model. The tool, which allowed users to browse proposed federal regulations and public comments, was removed on September 16 following public attention. The deployment occurred shortly after the FBI accused Alibaba of the "malicious" copying of technology from the US-based firm Anthropic.
Context of the FBI Allegations
The FBI recently alleged that Chinese AI companies are engaging in the "industrial scale" copying of US technology. These accusations have contributed to heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington has dismissed these claims of copying as "unfounded."
Nature of the Qwen Model
Qwen is an open-weight model, meaning its core components are publicly accessible. This allows developers to download and modify the software for specific applications, often at a lower cost than proprietary models from companies like Anthropic or OpenAI. Security experts note that such models can be hosted on a company's own infrastructure, providing greater control over the system.
Reaction to the Deployment
While AI experts suggested the use of the tool on the Federal Register site may not have posed direct national security risks, the incident prompted criticism regarding federal policy. Daniel Castro, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, described the situation as a disconnect between US-China competition in AI and the government's own procurement choices. Representative John Moolenaar stated that no federal entity should utilize Chinese AI models.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Straits Times World, Daily Sabah.
