ChatGPT as a security threat: US–China security dilemma in the generative AI race

Jinghan Zeng

doi:10.1177/13691481251389415

ChatGPT as a security threat: US–China security dilemma in the generative AI race

Jinghan Zeng^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

20 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

The rise of AI has introduced new complexities into the traditional US–China security dilemma, with both sides viewing each other’s technological advances as potential threats. This article examines how ChatGPT has further complicated these dynamics. Its success triggered not only Chinese anxiety over losing ground in technological and strategic competition but also concerns about threats to ideological and regime security. In response, China implemented a series of measures aimed at regulating generative AI to preserve domestic stability while simultaneously advancing its own technological capabilities. These reactions, coupled with the technical success of China’s DeepSeek, reshaped the competitive landscape – this time triggering anxiety and strategic insecurity in the United States and propelling the US–China generative AI race into a new, more intense phase. This article focuses on China’s initial security concerns about ChatGPT, shedding light on the origins of the AI race and how AI has become deeply entangled in broader security dynamics.

© The Author(s) 2025

Original language	English
Number of pages	16
Journal	British Journal of Politics and International Relations
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/13691481251389415
Publication status	Online published - 5 Nov 2025

Bibliographical note

Research Unit(s) information for this publication is provided by the author(s) concerned.

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Research Keywords

AI
AI race
ChatGPT
DeepSeek
generative AI
security competition
security dilemma
strategic competition
US-China relations

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COPYRIGHT TERMS OF DEPOSITED POSTPRINT FILE: The article is protected by copyright and reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses. Users may also download and save a local copy of an article accessed in an institutional repository for the user's personal reference. For permission to reuse an article, please follow our Process for Requesting Permission. Zeng, J., ChatGPT as a security threat: US–China security dilemma in the generative AI race, British Journal of Politics and International Relations. Advance online publication. Copyright © The Author(s) 2025. DOI: 10.1177/13691481251389415.

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abstract = "The rise of AI has introduced new complexities into the traditional US–China security dilemma, with both sides viewing each other{\textquoteright}s technological advances as potential threats. This article examines how ChatGPT has further complicated these dynamics. Its success triggered not only Chinese anxiety over losing ground in technological and strategic competition but also concerns about threats to ideological and regime security. In response, China implemented a series of measures aimed at regulating generative AI to preserve domestic stability while simultaneously advancing its own technological capabilities. These reactions, coupled with the technical success of China{\textquoteright}s DeepSeek, reshaped the competitive landscape – this time triggering anxiety and strategic insecurity in the United States and propelling the US–China generative AI race into a new, more intense phase. This article focuses on China{\textquoteright}s initial security concerns about ChatGPT, shedding light on the origins of the AI race and how AI has become deeply entangled in broader security dynamics. {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025",

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KW - ChatGPT

KW - DeepSeek

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KW - security competition

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KW - strategic competition

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ChatGPT as a security threat: US–China security dilemma in the generative AI race

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

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