TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday warned Taiwanese against downloading software and AI programs made in China.

At a meeting of the DPP’s Central Standing Committee, he called on all party officials to spread the word that the public and businesses should raise their awareness, per CNA. They should avoid downloading Chinese programs with potential security issues, he said.

The rapid development of AI is making life more efficient, but it is at the same time also bringing risks and challenges, according to Lai. The president noted how Taiwan is positioned on the global frontline of cybersecurity risks, with China using AI to infiltrate society.

National security authorities recently found Chinese AI making unfair privacy demands, leading to the potential abuse of private information, Lai said. China could use the programs to access private data about Taiwanese, paving the way for attacks by hackers or the spread of disinformation, according to the president.

Lai said the government would continue to strengthen basic infrastructure, including energy, finance, telecommunications, and transportation. He hoped the public and business world would improve national and personal cybersecurity.