Additional Coverage:
- DeepSeek fallout: GOP Sen Josh Hawley seeks to cut off all US-China collaboration on AI development (foxnews.com)
Senator Josh Hawley has introduced a bill aimed at decoupling American artificial intelligence capabilities from China. The bill comes in response to the market disruption caused by the Chinese launch of DeepSeek, a new AI model.
Hawley’s proposed legislation would ban the import and export of AI technology with China. It would also prohibit American companies from conducting AI research in China or investing in Chinese AI firms. The Senator believes that any collaboration with China on AI ultimately benefits America’s adversaries.
The launch of DeepSeek, a cheaper alternative to existing AI models, has shaken U.S. markets. Chipmaker Nvidia’s stock price initially dropped before recovering slightly.
This event has highlighted China’s growing economic competitiveness. Hawley’s bill addresses this by targeting any AI-related technology, rather than specific entities, to close potential loopholes.
There are concerns that DeepSeek may have used data from American companies like Microsoft and OpenAI to train its model. White House AI advisor David Sacks has stated there is evidence supporting this claim.
Former President Donald Trump called DeepSeek’s release a “wake-up call” for American tech companies. While acknowledging the potential benefits of cheaper AI, he stressed the need for the U.S. to remain competitive.
Current White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that the administration is investigating the national security implications of DeepSeek and is working to maintain American dominance in AI. This follows previous actions by the Biden administration, including export controls on AI chips, to address concerns about China’s progress in the AI sector.