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I emailed Richard, the author of this article, with the question: "What Robotics projects is Google helping the Chinese govt develop or leaking through a CCP ce

I emailed Richard, the author of this article, with the question: "What Robotics projects is Google helping the Chinese govt develop or leaking through a CCP cell?" I am very curious, as I think the HN community would be. I do not want to rehash the other arguments: if it is true Google would be hypocritical for assisting China or the lack of details what this General accused Google on possibly leaking through a CCP cell to do business in China. Also, how true are the claims that companies need a CCP cell (accused by a US official of leaking IP to a foreign) that could lead to IP theft? Would allowing a political party to have access to your trade secrets compromise the obligation to keep the legal protections under US law?

rchaud 8y ago
Wouldn't your question be more appropriate for the Joint Chiefs Chairman who actually said the quote? The article writer is reporting what was said at an event. It wasn't an interview or Q&A where questions like that could have been asked.
- csdreamer7 8y ago
  That is why I am asking the reporter who reported his words. So he can ask the question to the general or to the Congressional reps that grill the general. He posted his email, so I asked him. Reporters have privileged access to executive branch and interact with Congress all the time. They help filter out the noise and get to substance of matters. Also, getting the media more involved in technical matters and getting them to ask more detailed questions from HN's discussion would benefit us all as a country (at least for us Americans and our allies).
partiallypro 8y ago
I think one general issue is that Google has an AI center in China, and I'm sure there is 0 doubt from the intelligence community that the information Google's employees there have access to, etc is being infiltrated by Chinese spies. Not to mention just general projects Google is involved in within China itself, and its willingness to pay a price for entry (which is Chinese custom for foreign companies.) So, Google is being a bit of a "useful idiot" in their aiding of the Chinese government, and I believe prior quotes from the Pentagon are saying their aid is "indirect." People can say it's "not the same" because it's just an AI center, instead of a direct military application. But...that's not really how AI is applied, the AI from the AI center within China can be used for military purposes. And given that it is a black box that the US is not directly involved in (unlike China,) the general premise of Google's aiding of China seems pretty apparent.
- csdreamer7 8y ago
  I like your speculation. Google's face recognition tech is the first tech that comes to mind of being a real issue (esp with Googlers). I think this is something people need to discuss more. Like, why is the US govt allowing companies to get US military contracts that allow CCP units access to their research centers?
  - yorwba 8y ago
    Those CCP units are more a red herring than anything. The relevant law says "The grass-root organizations of the Communist Party of China in companies shall carry out their activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China." [1], which doesn't automatically imply that they get special access to anything. I think it's more a measure to boost membership than anything (the term "grass-root" is a strong hint). I also wouldn't be too sure that Google employees outside China aren't spying for the CCP as well, and pulling out of China wouldn't protect against that. Worrying about an AI research center in China only makes sense from a perspective of those Chinese researchers being more likely to later apply their experience at Chinese companies than if they moved to the US to work for Google, whereafter they might stay and continue working in the US. [1] http://www.china.org.cn/english/government/207344.htm http://www.china.org.cn/english/government/207344.htm
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]

rchaud 8y ago

Wouldn't your question be more appropriate for the Joint Chiefs Chairman who actually said the quote? The article writer is reporting what was said at an event. It wasn't an interview or Q&A where questions like that could have been asked.

csdreamer7 8y ago
That is why I am asking the reporter who reported his words. So he can ask the question to the general or to the Congressional reps that grill the general. He posted his email, so I asked him. Reporters have privileged access to executive branch and interact with Congress all the time. They help filter out the noise and get to substance of matters. Also, getting the media more involved in technical matters and getting them to ask more detailed questions from HN's discussion would benefit us all as a country (at least for us Americans and our allies).

partiallypro 8y ago

I think one general issue is that Google has an AI center in China, and I'm sure there is 0 doubt from the intelligence community that the information Google's employees there have access to, etc is being infiltrated by Chinese spies. Not to mention just general projects Google is involved in within China itself, and its willingness to pay a price for entry (which is Chinese custom for foreign companies.) So, Google is being a bit of a "useful idiot" in their aiding of the Chinese government, and I believe prior quotes from the Pentagon are saying their aid is "indirect." People can say it's "not the same" because it's just an AI center, instead of a direct military application. But...that's not really how AI is applied, the AI from the AI center within China can be used for military purposes. And given that it is a black box that the US is not directly involved in (unlike China,) the general premise of Google's aiding of China seems pretty apparent.

csdreamer7 8y ago
I like your speculation. Google's face recognition tech is the first tech that comes to mind of being a real issue (esp with Googlers). I think this is something people need to discuss more. Like, why is the US govt allowing companies to get US military contracts that allow CCP units access to their research centers?
- yorwba 8y ago
  Those CCP units are more a red herring than anything. The relevant law says "The grass-root organizations of the Communist Party of China in companies shall carry out their activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China." [1], which doesn't automatically imply that they get special access to anything. I think it's more a measure to boost membership than anything (the term "grass-root" is a strong hint). I also wouldn't be too sure that Google employees outside China aren't spying for the CCP as well, and pulling out of China wouldn't protect against that. Worrying about an AI research center in China only makes sense from a perspective of those Chinese researchers being more likely to later apply their experience at Chinese companies than if they moved to the US to work for Google, whereafter they might stay and continue working in the US. [1] http://www.china.org.cn/english/government/207344.htm http://www.china.org.cn/english/government/207344.htm
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]