China is keeping its best AI talent to itself via travel restrictions (techcrunch.com)

China is imposing stringent travel restrictions on its leading AI researchers, startup founders, and leading industry figures, requiring government approval for international travel. This move is indicative of Beijing's broader strategy to prevent brain drain in the rapidly growing AI sector, as the demand for skilled talent surges globally. The travel restrictions have intensified amid ongoing scrutiny of a significant acquisition deal between the AI startup Manus and Meta, heightening concerns over foreign investment and national security. This tightening of mobility coincides with a noteworthy shift in the AI competitive landscape, as a recent Stanford index reveals that the performance gap between U.S. and Chinese AI models has significantly narrowed to just 2.7% as of March 2026, down from 31% in 2023. Although the U.S. still leads in model quality and impactful patents, China’s swift advancements in research output, citations, and patent volumes signal a formidable challenge to American dominance. Additionally, China is expected to impose new controls on U.S. investments in its tech firms, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding its AI assets while stifling foreign influence in the burgeoning sector.