Zhipu AI (02513-HK) Surges After Anthropic Restricts Models, Boosting China's Open-Source AI

Anthropic restricted access to its advanced AI models, Mythos and Fable, on June 15, 2026, following U.S. government directives. This move, citing concerns over foreign access, prompted Beijing-based Zhipu AI (02513-HK) to swiftly open-source its latest model, capitalizing on the situation and causing its shares to surge on Monday. Zhipu AI co-founder Tang Jie stated on X that restricting model access for non-technical reasons was "deeply regrettable," asserting "science should belong to the world." The company timed its model release to 5:21 PM, mirroring Anthropic's reported receipt of the U.S. directive. Open-sourcing allows users to deploy models independently, mitigating risks from policy changes. Analysts suggest Anthropic's forced limitations inadvertently boosted Zhipu AI's global profile. The incident highlights growing global apprehension about relying on U.S. AI technology, with leaders expressing concerns over potential political interference. It also underscores the cost-effectiveness of Chinese AI, with models like DeepSeek offering significant price reductions.