The Chinese authorities have issued instructions to its citizens specializing in the field of artificial intelligence to avoid traveling to the United States for safety reasons, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The American newspaper said today, Saturday, that the Chinese authorities are concerned that Chinese experts in the field of artificial intelligence who travel abroad may reveal confidential information about the country's progress, or may be detained and used as a pressure tool in negotiations between the United States and China.

The newspaper indicated that no direct travel ban has been imposed, but rather directives have been issued by the authorities of the largest technology centers in China, including Shanghai, Beijing and Zhejiang.

She noted that leaders of leading domestic companies in the field of artificial intelligence and other strategic sectors such as robotics have advised against traveling to the United States and its allied countries except in cases of extreme necessity.

Those who decided to travel were also asked to inform the authorities of their plans before leaving, and upon their return to report on what they did and who they met. In February, Caroline Golin, head of energy development and innovation at Google, said that the United States was facing an energy capacity crisis amid the race to develop artificial intelligence technology with China.