EDITORIAL

The lock that opened the door

Last week we wrote about the day America switched off its most powerful AI to keep it out of the wrong hands. Here is what happened next, and it is stranger than the switch-off itself. Within 24 hours, China gave away models almost as good, for free, that nobody can ever turn off. The lock meant to protect America's lead may have handed the advantage to its biggest rival. A simple look at the strangest own goal in technology this year, and the one lesson worth keeping.

The PUBlish Desk · 22 June 2026