Lawmakers Introduce Chip Security Act to Prevent U.S. AI Technology from Supporting Chinese Military

Lawmakers in Washington D.C. have come together to introduce the Chip Security Act, a bipartisan initiative designed to ensure that advanced artificial intelligence chips developed in the United States do not fall into the hands of adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This legislative move, spearheaded by House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi along with six additional members, follows findings from the Committee's DeepSeek report. The report has uncovered that U.S.-origin chips have been diverted to China through shell companies, where they are reportedly being used to enhance Beijing's AI-driven military capabilities and surveillance operations.

Chairman Moolenaar expressed concerns that the CCP has taken advantage of weaknesses in export controls, allowing them to covertly obtain U.S. technology that is integral to their military expansion and internal repression. He emphasized that the new bill intends to close these loopholes, thereby safeguarding national security and maintaining the technological supremacy of the United States. The fundamental elements of the Chip Security Act stipulate the necessity of verifying the shipment locations of AI chips to prevent illegal transfers to China and other hostile nations, as well as implementing reporting requirements for chip manufacturers who notice suspicious activities involving their products. Additionally, the legislation mandates a study by the Commerce Department to enhance protections against technology theft.

The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has highlighted that this legislation caters to bipartisan fears regarding the potential weaponization of American innovation by the CCP. Reports indicate that chips made in the U.S. are integral to developing China's extensive AI surveillance infrastructure, contributing to the oppressive monitoring of citizens across regions like Xinjiang and Hong Kong. A similar bill has also been proposed in the Senate by Senator Tom Cotton. The committee has pointed out that the legislation is vital for protecting American troops in the face of potential conflicts, safeguarding lucrative positions in the U.S. tech industry, and preventing American innovations from aiding authoritarian regimes. The SSCPC has made it clear that the exploitation of U.S. technological advancements by the CCP must cease, affirming that American inventions should never serve as instruments of tyranny.