As OpenAI blocks China, developers scramble to keep GPT access through VPNs
- On the day OpenAI cut off API access in mainland China and Hong Kong, developers turned to VPNs and third-party providers while making plans to use domestic models
Seven developers spread across China told the Post on Wednesday that they were using virtual private networks (VPNs) and third-party services that still have GPT access to continue to use the AI models that are considered the global industry benchmark.
OpenAI was once aggressive about blocking VPN access by banning internet protocol (IP) addresses known to be associated with such services.
OpenAI was still accessible using a Chinese VPN service that advertises ChatGPT access on Wednesday, the first full day in China that OpenAI had blocked the country from accessing its application programming interface (API), according to tests by the Post.
The developers, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the murky legality of using foreign AI technologies and VPNs on the mainland, are based in cities around the country including Guangzhou in southern Guangdong province, Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan province, and Dalian, a port city in northeastern Liaoning province.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
