Washington, March 18: U.S. lawmakers and industry experts have raised alarms about China’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and autonomous systems, citing a growing national security threat. They emphasized concerns related to data access, cyber vulnerabilities, supply chain dependencies, and military applications.
During a hearing of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee, Chairman Andrew Garbarino stated that this challenge is now emerging “within the United States.” He noted that the People’s Republic of China is “aggressively attempting to dominate technologies that are transforming the global economy and security, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems.”
Garbarino specifically mentioned the Chinese AI firm DeepMind and the robotics company Unitrans. He pointed out that DeepMind released a model in January 2025 that matched top U.S. systems, at a cost reported to be only a fraction of American companies’ investments, causing significant market disruption and prompting some to label it an “AI Sputnik Moment.”
The real concern, he added, is that DeepMind may have incorporated outputs from leading U.S. AI systems into its training, potentially engaging in illegal reverse engineering of capabilities developed through legitimate investments. He accused, “DeepMind did not just compete; according to these revelations, it stole from American companies.”
Garbarino also warned that the company’s app is available on the Apple App Store, and “every interaction is stored on servers located in China, where authorities can demand access to that data.”
Industry and policy experts are calling for a tougher stance from the U.S. Max Finkel of Scale AI stated that while the U.S. is ahead in areas measured by Washington—such as models and chips—it lags where the future will be determined, namely data and its utilization. He noted that China currently holds about 90% of the commercially available robotics AI data market and is investing significantly more in this sector.
Matthew Molchanov from Boston Dynamics emphasized that robotics should be a top priority in policy, as advanced robots represent the “physical form of AI.” He cautioned that if robots are tampered with, they could pose greater dangers than standard connected devices. “Attackers could disrupt production lines or halt security patrols,” he warned.
Michael Robbins from the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International pointed out that the U.S. has seen similar patterns with drones in the past. He alleged that China is attempting to weaken the U.S. robotics industrial base and establish Trojan horses within critical infrastructure.
Rush Doshi from the Council on Foreign Relations remarked that China has progressed much faster than anticipated. “In 2024, Chinese factories installed nearly 300,000 new industrial robots, while U.S. factories installed only 30,000,” he noted. He also warned that Chinese laws pose espionage risks, as companies may be compelled to cooperate with state intelligence agencies.
Ranking member Representative Eric Swalwell expressed concerns over China’s technological competition while also criticizing the Trump administration. He stated that cuts to agencies like CISA, the National Science Foundation, and NIST have “weakened America’s defense at a time when technological competition is intensifying.”
Experts supported a ban on the acquisition of Chinese technologies in sensitive federal areas. When Garbarino asked if Congress should consider measures similar to those imposed on companies like Huawei or DJI, all panelists agreed.
In recent years, Congress and multiple administrations have increased scrutiny and restrictions on Chinese telecom equipment, drones, semiconductor exports, and connected vehicles.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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