The House Foreign Affairs Committee overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to advance a bill aimed at making it easier for the Biden administration to restrict the export of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by House Republicans Michael McCaul and John Moolenaar, along with Democrats Raja Krishnamoorthi and Susan Wild, reflects growing concerns that China could exploit AI technology to bolster its military capabilities.
The proposed legislation would grant the Commerce Department explicit authority to prevent Americans from collaborating with foreign entities on developing AI systems that pose risks to U.S. national security. "Our top AI companies could inadvertently fuel China's technological ascent, empowering their military and malign ambitions," warned McCaul, who chairs the committee. The bill underscores the urgency to protect sensitive technologies from potentially enhancing the Chinese Communist Party's surveillance and military prowess.
Market Overview:- Uncertainty surrounds US AI companies as export restrictions to China tighten.
- House Foreign Affairs Committee advances bill to restrict AI exports.
- Bipartisan support aims to prevent China from exploiting AI for military purposes.
- Commerce Department would gain authority to regulate AI exports and collaborations deemed risky.
- Bill reflects broader US strategy to stay ahead of China in AI development.
- Bill needs approval by full House and Senate before becoming law.
- Senate support and White House stance unclear.
- Passage signifies growing bipartisan concern over safeguarding AI technology.
This legislative move is the latest in a series of actions by Washington to counter China's AI ambitions. Concerns have been raised about Beijing potentially using AI to meddle in elections, develop bioweapons, or conduct cyberattacks. Last week, a bipartisan group of senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, urged Congress to approve $32 billion in funding for AI research to maintain U.S. leadership in the field. Additionally, U.S. officials have flagged China's "misuse" of AI in recent bilateral talks in Geneva.
The bill passed the committee with a 43-3 vote and now awaits approval from the full House and Senate before it can be signed into law by President Biden. Although there is no companion bill in the Senate yet, bipartisan efforts to thwart China's technological advances have garnered broad support in recent years. The White House and Schumer's office have not yet commented on their stance regarding the legislation.
