The Massachusetts Institute of Technology said it will review the school’s relationship with SenseTime Group Ltd., an artificial-intelligence startup that was among eight Chinese companies blacklisted by the U.S. this week over alleged human rights violations. The relationship, described by the university last year as an effort to “confront some of the world’s greatest challenges,” adds to a series of business arrangements that have drawn scrutiny toward MIT this year.
“MIT has long had a robust export controls function that pays careful attention to export control regulations and compliance,” a spokeswoman wrote in an email. “MIT will review all existing relationships with organizations added to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List, and modify any interactions, as necessary.” Several professors involved in the alliance didn’t respond to requests for comment.