US ban will curb China firms' AI dreams for now: Analysts

The firms rely heavily on US chips, and ban may force them to turn to local suppliers

Children walking below surveillance cameras in Akto, south of Kashgar, in Xinjiang. The blacklisted Chinese companies have allegedly made products used to commit human rights violations against Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang pro
Children walking below surveillance cameras in Akto, south of Kashgar, in Xinjiang. The blacklisted Chinese companies have allegedly made products used to commit human rights violations against Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang province. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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China's lofty plans to become the world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) have been thrown off course by the United States, although some analysts say this may be only in the short term.

Last week, the Trump administration added 28 Chinese organisations and companies, including eight tech firms, to its "entity list", a blacklist that bans them from trading with the US.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 18, 2019, with the headline US ban will curb China firms' AI dreams for now: Analysts. Subscribe