Recently, a Chinese scientist working at Meta in the United States, Wang Zifan, was denied entry into the United States, and his O-1 visa for outstanding talents was revoked. The reason is that artificial intelligence has been listed as a sensitive technology field by the United States. Wang Zifan's work is being monitored. Although he was returning to China for a family visit, he would be suspected of having other purposes, so his application for re-entry was rejected by the U.S. immigration authorities.
Wang Zifan completed his undergraduate studies in China and then went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the United States to pursue a doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is known as a young talent in the field of artificial intelligence, and his papers have been cited as many as 6,900 times. It's not only Wang Zifan; more than half of the scientists in the field of artificial intelligence in the United States are Chinese students.
After graduation, Wang Zifan obtained an O-1 visa for outstanding talents issued by the U.S. immigration authorities. This visa is aimed at outstanding scientists, artists, and others with talent, who are useful to the United States. This visa is quota-free, does not require waiting in line, and is issued unconditionally after certification. Wang Zifan successfully stayed in the United States and was hired by Meta Company with a high salary as an important scientist in the intelligent laboratory.
Now, the technological competition between the United States and China is intensifying. Some science and engineering programs have restricted Chinese students from applying, and some sensitive laboratories have refused to allow Chinese students to intern or work. If Chinese students are already working in these places, although it is not explicitly stated, the default rule is that they cannot have any contact with Chinese companies, and returning home is considered suspicious. Their every move is monitored. This has caused many students working in fields such as artificial intelligence in the United States to be afraid to return home, fearing that their visas will be revoked.
Currently, Wang Zifan has moved to the United Kingdom and started new research in London. He said on X that he had studied and worked in the United States for seven years, but he never expected to move from San Francisco to London. This information has received a lot of attention.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855845368013895/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.