WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has introduced a bill aimed at preventing foreign adversaries from gaining access to advanced U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The coalition comprises Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, Chairman Michael McCaul of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (R-TX), and Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA).
The group has proposed the “Enhancing National Frameworks for Overseas Critical Exports Act” (ENFORCE Act). This legislation seeks to modernize the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 by granting authority to the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to use export controls on AI and other national security-related emerging technology that could potentially be exploited by enemies.
Chairman Moolenaar commented, “Artificial intelligence is a foundational technology of the future with the potential to reshape our economy, our way of life, and our national security. This legislation will protect the American people and help prevent our nation’s innovations from falling into the hands of our adversaries.”
Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi added, “Without action, there is a grave possibility that a future cyber-attack on the American homeland could be enabled by AI technologies. Under current law, our national security community does not have the authority necessary to prevent the Chinese Communist Party, its military, and the companies they directly control, from acquiring AI systems that could aid future cyberattacks against the United States.”
“The ENFORCE Act would address this threat by ensuring that BIS has necessary authority to address security risks posed by AI and technology transfers,” Krishnamoorthi continued.
Chairman McCaul said: “The U.S. government has tools it needs to keep critical hardware with national security ramifications out of the hands of our adversaries’ militaries. But we don’t have those same clear tools to keep the software that powers advanced technologies – the AI systems themselves – from them. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will close those loopholes. For far too long, the law has lagged behind technological advances. That stops today.”
Congresswoman Susan Wild added: “Our federal government must have the tools it needs to address both the extraordinary opportunities and risks of new AI technologies, and that means making sure we are protecting the American people — including our workers and businesses — from foreign adversaries.”
The United States–China Economic and Security Review Commission has reported that China is using commercial AI advancements to develop its military capabilities in preparation for a potential conflict over Taiwan.
The ENFORCE Act would allow BIS to use export controls to safeguard future AI systems that threaten national security from adversaries. The bill would not provide BIS any authorities on existing systems or advanced systems that do not threaten national security.