MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama has officially prohibited the use of Chinese-owned artificial intelligence platforms on state government devices, a move announced by Governor Kay Ivey on March 26, 2025. The ban targets platforms such as DeepSeek and Manus, both linked to China, citing significant risks to data privacy and cybersecurity. This decision positions Alabama among a growing number of states taking action against foreign technology perceived as a threat to national security.
Governor Ivey, in a memo to state agency heads, declared that platforms like DeepSeek and Manus “pose unacceptable risks to the State of Alabama and its citizens.” She emphasized Alabama’s zero-tolerance stance toward threats from the Chinese government, stating, “When it comes to the threat posed by the Chinese government, Alabama takes no chances.” The ban extends beyond the named platforms to include “similar harmful technologies” originating from China or other “foreign countries of concern,” aiming to safeguard the state’s IT infrastructure and the sensitive data of its residents.
The policy comes on the heels of a final report from Alabama’s Generative AI Task Force, released on March 25, 2025, which highlighted the vulnerabilities posed by foreign AI systems. DeepSeek, a Hangzhou-based AI platform owned by the High-Flyer quantitative hedge fund, and Manus, an emerging autonomous AI agent, have drawn particular scrutiny due to their data collection capabilities and alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Alabama’s action mirrors a broader national trend, with at least ten other states having implemented similar restrictions by early 2025.
Tennessee became one of the first to explicitly ban DeepSeek and Manus on government devices earlier this month, with Governor Bill Lee underscoring the evolving threat of AI platforms from foreign adversaries. “As artificial intelligence platforms emerge, there is growing concern regarding data protection and the influence of foreign adversaries,” Lee said, referencing Tennessee’s prior bans on apps like TikTok. Ohio, Texas, and Florida have also joined the effort, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott reinforcing the need to prevent espionage through Chinese tech. South Dakota, Oklahoma, and several other states have followed suit, often citing the same fears of data breaches and foreign surveillance.
The push for these bans has gained momentum following bipartisan calls at the federal level. In early March, 21 state attorneys general, including Alabama’s Steve Marshall, urged Congressional leaders to pass the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” which would prohibit the use of DeepSeek on all government-issued equipment nationwide. Marshall, who joined the coalition on March 7, argued that such measures are critical to counter “China’s clear and present danger” to U.S. security.
The targeted platforms, DeepSeek and Manus, have stirred controversy due to their rapid rise in the AI landscape. DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model, launched in January 2025, has been hailed as a breakthrough, outperforming some American counterparts like OpenAI’s models. Meanwhile, Manus, introduced as an autonomous AI capable of independent action, has raised alarms about its potential misuse. Critics argue that these platforms, by storing user data on servers in China, could provide the Chinese government with unprecedented access to sensitive information.
While Alabama’s ban applies only to government devices and networks, it reflects a wider debate about the role of Chinese technology in American life. Some states, like Ohio and Texas, have extended restrictions to university systems and public institutions, while others are considering broader prohibitions that could affect private-sector use. The movement has not been without pushback—proponents of open-source technology argue that banning these platforms could stifle innovation, given DeepSeek’s free-use model has accelerated AI adoption globally.
For now, Alabama’s decisive step signals a hardening stance against Chinese AI influence. Governor Ivey framed the ban as part of a larger strategy to keep Alabama at the forefront of ethical AI use, saying, “From big businesses to cutting-edge research, Alabama will continue to be an industry leader.” As more states follow suit, the U.S. appears poised for a patchwork of regulations aimed at curbing foreign tech threats, with Alabama’s action marking a significant milestone in that effort.
As of March 28, 2025, the landscape of state-level tech policy continues to evolve, with national security concerns driving a wave of restrictions that could reshape how AI is deployed across government systems. Whether these measures will prompt a unified federal response remains to be seen, but Alabama’s move underscores a growing consensus: when it comes to Chinese-owned AI, many states are unwilling to take chances.
Add comment
Comments