China has imposed restrictions on overseas travel for top artificial intelligence talent at Alibaba and DeepSeek, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move targets researchers working on cutting-edge AI development, effectively locking them within the country's borders.
Who's affected
The restrictions apply to senior scientists and engineers at both companies who are considered critical to national AI priorities. Alibaba, through its Damo Academy, has been a major player in AI research, while DeepSeek is a rising startup focused on large language models. The exact number of individuals affected isn't clear, but the order covers those deemed 'high-level' talent in fields like machine learning and neural networks.
Why the restrictions now
The Chinese government has tightened controls on technology personnel in recent months, citing concerns over intellectual property leaks and national security. The latest move appears to target the most sensitive area — AI. By restricting travel, Beijing aims to keep its top minds from defecting or sharing proprietary knowledge abroad. This aligns with broader efforts to prevent a brain drain in the tech sector.
For Alibaba, the restrictions could complicate international partnerships and research collaborations. The company already faces scrutiny from U.S. regulators over its cloud and AI businesses. DeepSeek, which has been expanding its global footprint, may find its overseas talent recruitment efforts stalled. Both companies declined to comment on the specific measures.
The restrictions are likely to affect attendance at international conferences, joint research projects, and even routine business trips. Researchers who had planned to present papers at upcoming AI summits may now have to cancel. The impact on innovation remains an open question.
Unresolved question
It's still unclear how the restrictions will be enforced and whether exceptions will be made for specific cases. The Chinese government hasn't issued a public statement on the matter. For now, the affected researchers must stay put, while their companies figure out how to navigate the new rules.
