US and China intensify competition over AI regulation and security

The geopolitical competition surrounding artificial intelligence between the United States and China has intensified, manifesting in regulatory debates, security concerns, and allegations of influence campaigns.

In China, State Security Minister Chen Yixin has called for a “security barrier” to manage the political, social, and military risks of AI. This includes increased oversight of data, algorithms, and computing infrastructure to combat disinformation and cyberattacks. Chen also criticized U.S. restrictions on advanced technology access.

In the United States, lawmakers are divided on how to approach AI. Democratic legislators have raised alarms regarding “catastrophic risks” and have pushed for urgent regulation. Conversely, House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted calls for emergency sessions, arguing that hasty regulation could cause the U.S. to lose the technological race to China.

Additional reports suggest that China may be funding influence campaigns in the U.S. to delay the construction of critical AI data centers. Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama has urged Democratic leaders to make AI regulation a central part of their political agendas to ensure control over the technology's development.