Chinese military researchers tap U.S. AI models to train defense systems

The report shows widespread use of a technique known as "model distillation," in which outputs from a powerful AI system are used to train ‌smaller, specialized ‌models.

China employs 'model distillation' techniques to adapt advanced AI technologies despite export restrictions from Washington

The documents show widespread use of a technique known as "model distillation," in which outputs from a powerful AI system are used to train smaller, specialised models that can be deployed locally

Chinese researchers have reportedly used leading U.S. AI models developed by OpenAI and Anthropic to train AI systems to advance defense capabilities.

In a bid to defend its market share against rapidly advancing, lower-cost Chinese rivals, US artificial intelligence firm OpenAI has launched an aggressive price war, slashing prices for its latest GPT-5.6 model line-up by up to 80 per cent. In a post on social media platform X on Thursday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announ

More than 80 Chinese papers and patents reviewed by Reuters show military-linked institutions using model distillation to build domestic AI systems for surveillance, cyber warfare and battlefield applications amid growing US-China technology tensions.

EXCLUSIVE: Chinese military researchers tap US AI models to train defence systems  Reuters