Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, I am asking the question, is this Orwellian stuff we are seeing out of China, especially as it comes to Immigration protocols and things, is this something that's a harbinger for the rest of the world? I'm hoping it's not. That said, I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Beijing's AI exit bans reveal expanding structural controls and legal enforcement measures. Now I urge those who are watching this video, go check out that article in detail. But long story short, the preface to this is to understand what's going on when they say, "AI bans". What they are actually talking about is people that are working, even in the private sector, in China are now having their travel capabilities curtailed, and this is being done through a digital framework. Quoting directly: "The global artificial intelligence race has entered a critical regulatory phase. In May 2026, reports confirmed that the Chinese Government expanded its exit ban protocols to target top tier AI researchers, founders, and executives within the private sector. Historically reserved for state employees or military personnel, this policy shift redefines advanced computing talent as a vital state asset." So within their own country they are saying, "hey, if you're involved in this business, we basically get to tell you how, when, where, why and under what circumstances you can travel, because we deem the work that you are doing important to state affairs basically." Now that said, where does the rubber hit the road on this? Quoting further: "Amended Immigration codes grant the Ministry of State Security the power to place individuals on travel blacklists directly within border control systems. This administrative measure requires no formal criminal charges and can be executed instantaneously at international transit hubs." What they are saying is you can be flagged while travelling and curtailed in your travel. 

Since COVID, we have really seen the dystopian travel nightmare be rolled out. We have seen the framework; I did the videos at the time. I mean the creation of the Certificates of Entry and the Thailand Pass and all these other things, and the weird protocols associated with US Immigration as well. Not a great time; very much not a great time to want to be free person in this world, I guess is the only real word for it. What is scary to me in all of this is how arbitrary and capricious it is likely that it can turn out to be one day, where you just, it's like Kafkaesque. I mean you sort of are travelling and the next thing you get caught in some Catch-22 where you are being adjudicated on whether or not you can travel based on no formal due process, as it's pointed out here, no formal criminal charges. So it is not based on anything you can hang your hat on it when analyzing, "Well wait, why are you holding me? Why are you stopping me?"

Now again, I know that this only pertains to China right now. Look, China can do what they want. I have my opinions about how their system works but it is their country. If they want to live like that, fine. That said, I think it's probably something to keep a close eye on because look, as we have seen in the past, this stuff once it rolls out in one context it is very quick to roll out in many others. So one of those things that remains to be seen exactly how it plays out, but we will certainly be keeping folks updated on this channel as the situation evolves.