House Homeland Security publishes ICYMI on PRC AI/robotics national security risks

The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing last week to assess increasing national security threats and economic risks from artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous sensing technologies linked to the People's Republic of China as they expand into global markets. Witness testimony was provided by Max Fenkell of Scale AI, Matthew Malchano of Boston Dynamics, Michael Robbins of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International and Rush Doshi of the Council on Foreign Relations. The witnesses discussed companies including DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics and recommended measures to protect U.S. critical infrastructure, government networks and sensitive industries while bolstering domestic competitiveness and supply chains. Rep. Vince Fong, a Republican from California, stated in his opening remarks that the People's Republic of China is moving aggressively to dominate technologies reshaping the global economy and security. He highlighted concerns that DeepSeek trained its models by using outputs from American AI systems without consent through model distillation. Fong emphasized investing in trusted American alternatives, strengthening cybersecurity practices and preventing federal funds from supporting platforms that put American data and infrastructure at risk. Fong also questioned the risks of AI systems that censor dissenting narratives and promote propaganda becoming widely used. Fenkell testified on the importance of models that adhere to democratic values and American ideals. Malchano described how compromised robots in sensitive environments could manipulate objects, damage facilities or capture malicious images, posing risks beyond those of traditional connected devices. Robbins advised that policymakers should act now to support U.S. companies in these fields, learning from the experience with other Chinese technologies that dominate markets. Witnesses emphasized the need to bolster U.S. competitiveness, secure supply chains and invest in American technology and manufacturers.