Meta’s AI is being used by Chinese military researchers

​The Meta logo is seen on a mobile phone with the Chinese flag in the background in this photo illustration.
The Meta logo is seen on a mobile phone with the Chinese flag in the background in this photo illustration.
Photo by Jaap Arriens / SIpa USA via Reuters

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has taken a different approach to the AI boom than many of its Silicon Valley peers. Instead of developing proprietary large language models, Meta has championed open-source models that are free and accessible for anyone to use. (That said, some open-source advocates say it’s not truly open-source because Meta has usage rules.)

But because of Meta’s openness, Chinese researchers were able to develop their own AI model — for military use — using one of Meta’s Llama models, according to a paper they published in June, but first reported by Reuters on Nov. 1.

Chinese university researchers, some of whom have ties to the People's Liberation Army, developed a model called ChatBIT using Llama 2 — first released in February 2023. (Meta’s top model is Llama 3.2, released in September 2024.) In the paper reviewed by Reuters, the researchers said they built a chatbot “optimized for dialogue and question-answering tasks in the military field.” It will be able to be used for “intelligence analysis, … strategic planning, simulation training, and command decision-making,” the paper said.

Llama’s acceptable use policy prohibits using the models for “military, warfare, nuclear industries or applications [and] espionage.” Meta told Reuters that the use did violate the terms and said it took unspecified action against the developers but also said the discovery was insignificant. “In the global competition on AI, the alleged role of a single, and outdated, version of an American open-source model is irrelevant when we know China is already investing more than a trillion dollars to surpass the US on AI,” Meta said.

Open-source development has already become a hot-button issue for regulators and tech advocates. For example, the California AI safety bill, which was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, became controversial for mandating developers have a “kill switch” to shut off models — something that’s not possible for open-source developers who publish their code. With an open-source model in China’s hands — even an old one — regulators may have the fodder they need to try and crack down on open-source AI the next time they try to pass and enact AI rules.

More from GZERO Media

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacts at a media briefing following his bilateral talks with Somali's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, November 5, 2024.
REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

The coalition has always been a somewhat awkward, loveless marriage between Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats, the left-wing ecologist Greens, and the center-right Free Democrats.

Proud Source Water became a Walmart supplier in 2021. Today, their team has grown 50%, and they're the largest employer in Mackay, ID. When local suppliers work with Walmart, their business can grow. In fact, two-thirds of Walmart's product spend is on products made, grown, or assembled in America. By working with Walmart, local businesses like Proud Source Water can reach more customers, hire more people, and help their communities thrive. Explore the positive impact of Walmart's $350 billion investment in US manufacturing.

Economists categorize technologies into two types: single-purpose tools and “general-purpose technologies,” or GPTs. A single-purpose tool, like a smoke detector or lawn mower, excels at one specific task. But general-purpose technologies, like electricity or personal computers, have multiple applications and can be utilized across every economic sector. It’s almost certain that AI will be regarded by economists as the next great GPT. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith emphasizes the importance of developing national strategies to harness AI’s potential and the need for widespread adoption across various sectors to drive economic growth. Read more in his latest article.

- YouTube

With reports of North Korean troops in Kursk, what is the likelihood of NATO directly intervening in the Ukraine-Russia war? Moldova's pro-Western President secured a second term after narrow runoff win. Does her victory reflect Western strength against Putin? How is the political rift between Bolivia's government and the former President Evo Morales affecting the country's stability and economy? Ian Bremmer shares his insights on global politics this week on World In :60.

File Photo: Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris speaks to reporters after meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 9, 2024.
REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Thankfully, not every election campaign lasts for two years.

Aubrey and Taylor Endicott cast their votes while their children, from left, Sterling, 5, Adelaide, 3, and Lincoln, 7, wait patiently under the voting tables at Shawnee Heights Middle School on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
USA Today Network via Reuters

For the US and other countries with elected leaders, Tuesday’s election represents a referendum on the future of democracy. Will it come away battered, or will it remain intact?

An FPV drone with an attached portable grenade launcher is seen during a test flight conducted by Ukrainian servicemen of the 'Bulava' Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Unit of the Separate Presidential Brigade at their position near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Oct. 11, 2024.

REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Ukraine is reportedly using new AI-powered drones to fly explosives toward Russian targets.