Four Z.AI founders worked on a joint AI research project. The project was co-funded by China General Technology Research Institute. The UK government accused CGTRI of having very strong ties to China’s main spy agency. A CGTRI engineer and one Z.AI founder led the project. Three other Z.AI founders contributed to the research. The project lasted nearly four years and overlapped with Z.AI’s 2019 start. Findings were detailed in a 78-page report. The report had not been publicly disclosed before.