Silicon Valley's New Power Play: Google Pushes AI Freedom as OpenAI Targets China

Two tech giants just revealed their vision for AI's future. Their proposals show how Silicon Valley wants to shape global AI development - and who gets left behind.

Google released a policy proposal that would let AI companies use almost any public data for training. The company wants broad "fair use" protections to scoop up copyrighted content without paying creators. Their timing matches the Trump administration's work on national AI strategy.

Opening Shots

OpenAI launched an attack on Chinese AI lab DeepSeek. They want the U.S. government to ban "PRC-produced" AI models, claiming DeepSeek serves Beijing's interests. Their evidence looks thin, especially as DeepSeek's models outperform OpenAI's benchmarks.

Playing Both Sides

Tech companies see regulation as a weapon. Google fights oversight at home while begging for government support. OpenAI wants restrictions on Chinese competitors while growing its market power.

The Data Grab

Google's plan would rewrite AI training rules. They want to treat public data like a buffet - help yourself, no payment needed. Copyright laws? Just roadblocks slowing down progress, they say.

Export Control Battle

Google wants looser export rules. While Microsoft accepted restrictions, Google claims they hurt U.S. tech companies. Yet they still want government help - asking for federal data access and research money.

States Fight Back

States aren't waiting. With 781 AI bills pending, Google tells lawmakers to back off. They hate rules about transparency that might expose their secrets.

Meanwhile, OpenAI's attack on DeepSeek shows a new phase in AI competition. They paint their Chinese rival as a government puppet, ignoring DeepSeek's roots in quantitative trading, not state labs. DeepSeek's success explains OpenAI's moves. Their R1 model beats OpenAI on key tasks. Microsoft, Amazon, and Perplexity already use their technology.

Escalating Claims

OpenAI first claimed DeepSeek copied their models. Now they call them state-controlled. Yes, DeepSeek's founder met Xi Jinping recently. No, that doesn't prove Beijing controls them.

The timing isn't subtle. OpenAI's push comes as DeepSeek gains ground and U.S.-China tech tensions grow. Their proposal might protect security - or just block competition. The fallout would spread far. OpenAI's plan could reshape how Chinese AI firms operate globally. Beijing might retaliate. Companies using DeepSeek's technology would need new partners.

Google's proposal threatens creators. Writers, artists, and musicians would lose control over how AI uses their work. Google's "fair use" view would let AI training ignore copyright law.

Power Play Exposed

Both proposals reveal tech's playbook. When rivals threaten them, they want government help. When rules might limit profits, they cry about innovation. Their real goals are clear. Neither wants true competition. They want advantages for themselves and barriers for others.

The stakes keep rising. AI needs data and market access to grow. Google wants unlimited data rights. OpenAI wants to lock out Chinese competitors.

These moves could split AI development between nations. Instead of global competition driving progress, we'd get isolated AI ecosystems. That means slower progress and higher costs.

Tech giants call these changes inevitable. Google says grabbing data helps innovation. OpenAI claims Chinese AI threatens security. Both arguments conveniently boost their bottom line.

The next moves matter. Regulators must balance innovation and oversight, competition and security. Give tech giants everything? You get AI monopolies. Too many rules? Development moves to friendlier markets.

Why this matters:

• Silicon Valley plays both sides: fighting rules that limit their power while demanding government help against rivals
• These proposals would reshape AI's future - controlling who gets data, which countries compete, and whether global cooperation survives

Read on, my dear:

• OpenAI#s Policy Proposal
• Google's Policy Proposal