19-year-old Chinese Go player Qin Siyue banned for 8 years for AI cheating in competition

The Chinese Weiqi Association (Go is known as Weiqi in China) handed down a severe punishment late Wednesday to a Chinese Go player Qin Siyue as she was caught using artificial intelligence to cheat during a competition.

The 19-year-old Qin has been banned from participating in any Go events and activities organized or authorized by the Chinese Weiqi Association for eight years. 

The Association also nullified all her results in the 2024 National Weiqi Championship and revoked her professional ranking.

Qin was caught carrying a phone and using an AI program during the ninth round of the Women's Group at the Chinese Weiqi Team Championship on December 15 of last year, during a routine check by referees.

A review of that day's match footage and testimonies from the referees, players, and staff confirmed that Qin entered the venue early that morning to hide the phone and used it to cheat during the game. 

She also disregarded the tournament rules and attempted to conceal the facts when questioned, according to the Chinese Weiqi Association.

Qin, born in 2006, was promoted to the rank of professional 2-dan in June, 2024 and was a champion in the 2023 Chinese Weiqi Team Championship (Team).

(Staff reporter and Global Times)