Washington: US lawmakers and intelligence experts have warned that China is intensifying efforts to acquire American artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies through cyber espionage, commercial investments and intelligence operations.
Speaking at a hearing of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency David Shedd alleged that Beijing has developed an extensive network to obtain US technological and commercial secrets.
According to Shedd, China is leveraging cyberattacks, academic collaborations, human intelligence networks and strategic investments to strengthen its technological and military capabilities. He said sectors such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications, biotechnology, quantum computing and advanced defence systems remain key targets.
The hearing also discussed allegations that Chinese technology giant Alibaba attempted to gather information from US-based AI firm Anthropic using a technique known as “distillation”, which can replicate the capabilities of sophisticated AI models at a fraction of the development cost.
Shedd urged closer cooperation between the government and private sector to safeguard American intellectual property, innovation and national security interests.
The warnings come amid growing concerns in Washington over technological competition between the United States and China and the race to dominate emerging technologies.
