Congressman Mike Lawler joined Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC), Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) in introducing the bipartisan H.R.4683, Closing Loopholes for the Overseas Use and Development of Artificial Intelligence (CLOUD AI) Act.
The CLOUD AI Act will ensure that China cannot remotely access the American semiconductors and chips that they cannot purchase directly under Department of Commerce export controls.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce stopped the export of advanced chips used to build artificial intelligence to China. This rule aimed at stopping the CCP’s use of commercially available American technology to modernize its military forces.
However, the CCP has been bypassing these controls by remotely accessing American technology online to continue developing their artificial intelligence tools and models.
The bill will close this loophole and stop the CCP from using American innovation to accelerate their own artificial intelligence.
“China is currently exploiting loopholes in BIS’ export control regime to access advanced AI hardware, which the CCP is then using for military purposes. I’m proud to introduce the CLOUD AI Act with my fellow members of Congress to address this issue,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “As the U.S. and our allies continue to develop advanced technology, we must ensure that there are laws and regulations in place to prevent intellectual property theft by foreign adversaries. China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia must not be allowed to circumvent these laws and if they attempt to, we must stop them.”
“The Department of Commerce’s export controls were an important step to protecting American artificial intelligence innovation, but we cannot let China skirt the rules. We must ensure American technology cannot be used by the CCP to strengthen its military and develop new technologies to suppress groups like the Uyghurs,” said Rep. Jeff Jackson (NC-14). “I’m proud to join Reps. Lawler, Crockett and McCormick in this bipartisan effort to protect American leadership in artificial intelligence and protect our national security.”
“The use of foreign and overseas cloud services by Chinese firms and the PRC to circumvent controls represents a clear and present threat to US technological competitiveness, as well as to the safety and security of Americans’ privacy,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, (TX-30). “Now more than ever, Congress must come together and identify areas to improve advancements in technology, competition, and national security. Today’s step closes a critical gap in the efficacy of our export controls, and I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort.”
“AI has the potential to revolutionize how we defend our nation and help millions of families prosper. We cannot allow communist China to endanger America’s future and oppress their own people by abusing our technology,” said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-6). “I’m proud to co-sponsor this vital legislation and defend American enterprise and innovation.”
Text of the legislation can be found here.