A leading US senator has sounded the alarm on American dependence on Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) models, urging the government to implement a comprehensive strategy to counter China’s expanding influence in this critical technology sector. The senator highlighted growing concerns about the national security implications of US companies increasingly adopting Chinese AI frameworks, some of which are reportedly used in sensitive government projects.
In a formal letter to the Commerce Secretary, the senator proposed a multi-pronged response that includes stricter export controls on advanced computing equipment and semiconductor tools, wider limitations on Chinese AI models accessible to government contractors, and stronger federal support to foster a competitive domestic AI industry.
The letter emphasized that the United States must consolidate its leadership in developing cutting-edge, proprietary AI systems, ensuring these models become the global standard on which international customers and researchers rely. This approach would allow the US to set worldwide norms, standards, and dependencies in AI technology.
The senator warned that China pursues an aggressive strategy to spread its AI technologies internationally, citing reports that nearly 80 percent of US startups build applications using Chinese AI models. The letter cited specific examples, including Airbnb’s Qwen-powered chatbot and Cursor’s Kimi-based coding assistant—products that have reportedly gained traction even among defense contractors.
Security concerns arose from the use of Chinese AI in government-related software development. The Kimi coding tool, for instance, is used by contractors working for the Department of War, but Chinese AI-generated code was described as more vulnerable and less reliable, raising fears about potential embedded backdoors or reduced software integrity. The senator noted that auditing processes have so far failed to fully eliminate these risks.
To safeguard US interests, the senator recommended extending existing bans on certain Chinese AI products, such as DeepSeek—which is already barred within the Department of War—to all federal agencies and their contractors. He also urged maintaining rigorous export restrictions on critical AI-enabling hardware, aiming to curb China’s ability to advance its capabilities.
At the core of the recommendations is strengthening the American AI ecosystem to boost productivity and scientific innovation while reducing dependency on foreign models. The measures seek not only to protect national security but also to secure economic and technological advantages in the global AI race.