The US Treasury Department has seized an opportunity by warning that it will consider taking action against Chinese AI companies, including those accused of collaborating with NASA on lunar technology. In a statement released earlier today, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent noted that White House officials had expressed concerns about Moonshot's relationship with Anthropic, citing the development of the company's Fable model as part of its effort to create a more advanced AI system.
The move comes amid reports that Chinese tech giant Huawei was in talks with NASA to develop lunar technology. US officials have been vocal in their criticism of Huawei and Moonshot, accusing them of distilling Anthropic's Fable model for use in the lunar program. In essence, these companies are accused of providing China with a vital piece of information on how to replicate the advanced AI capabilities developed by NASA.
The Treasury Department's move is seen as a threat to potential sanctions against Chinese AI companies that may be involved in the collaboration with Huawei and Moonshot. While officials have yet to provide specific details about any plans to impose sanctions, they are likely to escalate their efforts if it becomes clear that China is engaging in activities contrary to US interests.