America's fear of China goes way beyond TikTok

Concerns over Chinese spying have been on the rise since the US escalated its efforts to address Chinese cyberattacks.

The Department of Justice under Donald Trump undertook a controversial " China Initiative" which aimed to prevent industrial espionage in the research community.

The same fear of Chinese espionage that forced TikTok to shut down is now pushing out Chinese -born AI professionals at the exact moment that American AI experts report a critical talent shortage.

Members of the Chinese diaspora in Silicon Valley are feeling the strain and paranoia of geopolitical tensions pressing on their social and professional lives.

Some startups are turning to third -party tools like Strider Technologies to investigate individuals' connections to "state-sponsored risk" Many Chinese startup founders are deemphasizing their nationality.

Tensions are making it difficult for people from China to stay in the US .

As tensions ramp up, many Chinese tech workers are reconsidering whether the American dream is worth the risk.

China is currently the largest source of top-tier AI researchers.

Meanwhile, the US faces a critical talent shortage in AI .