Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has introduced new legislation aimed at severing American artificial intelligence (AI) development from China, citing national security risks and economic concerns.
The Need for Decoupling
Senator Hawley emphasized that American innovation should not be leveraged by China, warning that any technological advancements shared with Beijing could ultimately be used against U.S. interests. “America cannot afford to empower our greatest adversary at the expense of our own strength,” he said.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The Decoupling America’s Artificial Intelligence Capabilities from China Act would:
- Ban the import and export of AI technology between the U.S. and China.
- Prohibit American companies from conducting AI research in China or collaborating with Chinese firms.
- Restrict U.S. investments in Chinese AI development.
The bill follows the recent unveiling of China’s “DeepSeek” AI model, which has raised alarms over data security and economic stability. The model’s release reportedly contributed to a drop in American tech stocks, reinforcing concerns over China’s growing dominance in AI.
If enacted, the legislation could significantly reshape global AI collaboration and technological competition. It is expected to face debate in Congress, with supporters arguing for stronger national security measures and critics warning of potential economic and diplomatic consequences.
The bill now moves forward in the legislative process, where it will be reviewed and potentially amended before a vote.
