A group of bipartisan lawmakers has introduced a bill to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) systems from being exploited by adversaries that threaten U.S. national security.
“The ENFORCE Act would address this threat by ensuring that the Bureau of Industry and Security has the authority necessary to address the security risks posed by AI and technology transfers, ensuring that American technologies, American researchers, and firms do not feed the Chinese Communist Party’s military and surveillance state,” he added.
The ENFORCE Act will amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), granting the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) the authority to impose export control measures on AI and emerging technologies. These measures aim to prevent potential adversaries from accessing technology that could be used against the United States.
The ENFORCE Act will grant BIS legal authority to use export controls on AI systems, such as stopping the transfer of AI systems to China. The Act empowers BIS to mandate licenses for exporting AI systems or other emerging technologies related to national security. For instance, it can require American AI labs to conduct security checks before collaborating with AI labs with ties to the Chinese military.
“Artificial intelligence is a foundational technology of the future with the potential to reshape our economy, our way of life, and our national security. This legislation will protect the American people and help prevent our nation’s innovations from falling into the hands of our adversaries,” said Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP.
US Firms Invested in China’s AI
The race for AI dominance is the latest technological frontier in the competition between the United States and the Chinese regime. The Pentagon’s 2022 China Power Report found that the Chinese military seeks to expand the use of AI and advanced technologies to enhance its next-generation combat capabilities.“U.S. investments were critical to the early growth and success of some of the [China]’s largest and most notorious AI and semiconductor companies, many of which are now blacklisted by the U.S. government over national security concerns, and many of which are supported by the [China] government,” the report states.
Notably, the investigation found that the investments advanced the strategic goals of the CCP while directly undercutting the United States’ position internationally, according to the report.
“This report illustrates that outbound U.S. capital investment in critical sectors has advanced [China]’s strategic priorities while undercutting U.S. strategy toward [China],” it states.
The report recommended additional restrictions on outbound investment into Chinese critical and emerging technologies, including AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing.