Mark Cuban Warns of Chinese Open-Source AI as a "Trojan Horse" for Global Influence

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has issued a stark warning regarding the strategic implications of free, open-source Chinese AI models, cautioning that their widespread adoption could serve as a "trojan horse" to influence global thought. Cuban articulated his concerns on social media, stating, "If you thought Tik Tok was manipulative, you ain’t seen nothing like a free, open source Chinese AI model designed to influence what Americans think."

Cuban highlighted the critical point often overlooked in the AI competition between foundational models from the US and China. He suggested that if Chinese models are perceived as superior and more affordable, they will likely be open-sourced, leading to their widespread adoption by companies and developers globally. "At that point, not only will China have won the AI tech war, they will have a trojan horse to influence how we all think," he added, describing the prospect as "scary."

This warning comes amidst the rise of models like DeepSeek-R1, developed by a Chinese AI company, which has demonstrated performance comparable to leading Western models like OpenAI's o1 at a significantly lower cost. DeepSeek-R1, released in January 2025, operates at approximately 5% of OpenAI o1's costs, with output tokens costing $2.19 versus $60.00 per million tokens. Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization and integration into various ecosystems.

However, concerns about such models extend beyond mere performance and cost. DeepSeek, for instance, has been noted for its censorship of politically sensitive questions related to the Chinese government, while readily criticizing other world leaders. Experts warn that Beijing's open-source AI could become a powerful tool for spreading state-influenced narratives and embedding subtle biases, posing a significant challenge to information integrity and national security.

The US government and industry leaders are increasingly focused on the geopolitical implications of AI development. The "AI Action Plan" from the Trump administration emphasizes a light-touch approach to regulation, while figures like Microsoft President Brad Smith stress that the US's military dominance and global standing depend on its investment in AI research. The rapid advancement of Chinese AI, despite US restrictions on chip exports, underscores the intensity of this technological rivalry and the potential for shifts in global power dynamics.