Chinese AI researchers are increasingly turning to X to share their work and engage in global discussions about artificial intelligence. Over the past year, there has been a noticeable rise in Chinese researchers joining the platform and participating in conversations about AI development and commercialization. For example, Moonshot AI, the company behind the Kimi K3 model, has around 30 active accounts on X, including two cofounders and several former employees and collaborators. These accounts are not dormant; they regularly post about the company’s releases, research, and personal lives.
X has become a hub for Chinese AI researchers to connect with both domestic and international audiences. Meng Fanqing, cofounder of Evolvent AI and former Moonshot intern, says, "X is the best community for AI discussions right now." He notes that the platform’s recommendation algorithm effectively surfaces content relevant to users’ interests. This is in contrast to Chinese platforms, where serious technical discussions are often difficult. Meng started posting on X in mid-2025, coinciding with the global attention DeepSeek’s R1 model received earlier that year.
The shift to X is partly due to the lack of comparable platforms in China for high-quality technical discussions. Zhihu, a Quora-like platform, has increasingly focused on fiction content, leading to a decline in expert participation. Xiaohongshu, another popular platform, has a less technical audience. As a result, Chinese researchers are finding more traction on X, where they can discuss technical details and receive meaningful feedback. This trend is helping to fill a gap left by Western AI researchers, who are less active online due to corporate secrecy.
Source: wired
