US Senators Propose Bill to Block Foreign Adversaries From AI Technology

Key facts

• A new bill has been introduced by Republican senators Tim Scott and Bill Hagerty.
• The bill aims to protect U.S. artificial intelligence technology from foreign adversaries.
• It would give the Commerce Department authority to block transactions involving technology from countries deemed hostile to U.S. national security, including Russia and China.
• The legislation seeks to establish an assistant secretary of commerce for information and communications technology supply chains.
• The bill also intends to maintain public access to open-source AI software.

Republican members of the U.S. Senate have introduced a new bill designed to safeguard American artificial intelligence technology from foreign adversaries. The legislation, spearheaded by Senators Tim Scott and Bill Hagerty, seeks to bolster the Commerce Department's authority to shield domestic AI from supply chains controlled by nations identified as threats to U.S. national security, such as Russia and China.

The proposed bill would empower the Commerce Department to block "transactions involving technology designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned, controlled, or directed by foreign adversary countries." It also aims to codify a new position within the department: the assistant secretary of commerce for information and communications technology supply chains. Furthermore, the bill intends to preserve public access to open-source AI software.

This legislative push comes as Congress approaches its summer break and midterm elections, potentially limiting the bill's immediate opportunity for advancement unless attached to other critical legislation. Senator Scott emphasized the need to prevent adversaries from exploiting U.S. technology in everyday devices and networks. Earlier in June, President Donald Trump issued an executive order focused on promoting U.S. AI innovation and protecting American intellectual property from theft.