A bipartisan group of U. S. lawmakers has introduced landmark legislation called the No Adversarial AI Act, aiming to ban Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) systems from use within the federal government. This bill underscores growing concerns in Washington about the intensifying technological rivalry between the U. S. and China, reflecting heightened awareness among policymakers of AI’s strategic importance amid a rapidly evolving global tech landscape. At a recent Capitol Hill hearing, Representative John Moolenaar emphasized AI’s critical role in shaping future international power dynamics, describing it as central to a new Cold War defined by technological, rather than military, competition. His remarks highlighted lawmakers’ urgency to maintain U. S. technological leadership while addressing national security threats from adversarial AI. Concerns have surged with the rise of Chinese startups like DeekSeek, which produces low-cost AI models competitive with top U. S. platforms, signaling that China is narrowing the technological gap despite U. S.

efforts to restrict exports of advanced semiconductors and vital AI components. Experts in AI and national security stress that this competition extends beyond technology to reflect differing national values. Thomas Mahnken, president of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, noted that AI advancements mirror a country’s societal system and values; democracies tend to create AI emphasizing human rights and freedoms, while authoritarian regimes may use AI for oppression and surveillance, posing global risks. Supporting this view, Jack Clark of Anthropic pointed out that AI development is deeply shaped by the political and ideological contexts of the originating countries—the U. S. promotes open innovation and ethical standards, whereas China relies on state oversight and control over AI governance. The 2025 Stanford AI Index Report provides a current snapshot: the U. S. still leads in advanced AI models, but China surpasses it in AI patents and publications, showing strong commitment to R&D and rapidly closing the technology gap. This fuels American fears that losing supremacy could have wide economic and security repercussions. In response, legislators and AI experts advocate for enhanced export controls to limit the transfer of cutting-edge AI tech and components to China, deeming such measures vital for protecting national security and preventing adversaries from strengthening their AI capabilities. While the No Adversarial AI Act imposes strict bans, it includes limited exceptions for controlled uses like supervised research and counterterrorism efforts, aiming to balance safeguarding national interests with supporting innovation and critical intelligence work. The bill’s introduction marks a pivotal point in U. S. -China relations and the global AI race, reflecting a growing consensus that AI is not merely an economic tool but a strategic asset key to future geopolitical influence and security. As this technological rivalry evolves, the priorities set by the No Adversarial AI Act may establish important precedents for international AI governance, especially concerning authoritarian versus democratic values. With AI poised to transform sectors from economic productivity to defense, today’s policy choices will have lasting impacts for decades ahead.