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Igor Patrick

Export controls alone will not ensure America leads in artificial intelligence and Washington must boost funding to counter rapid advances in China’s AI sector as well as DeepSeek’s burgeoning global clout, the US Congress heard.
During a House subcommittee hearing on research and technology on Tuesday, analysts testified as to the implications of China’s rising tech capabilities and warned of the risks the US faces if it fails to act swiftly.
Witnesses cautioned that Beijing’s ability to develop cutting-edge AI systems at a fraction of the cost of American competitors could soon shift the balance of tech and economic power.
While Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips to stem this progress, many analysts believe these measures are insufficient to address the broader challenge.


Adam Thierer of the R Street Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said that while export controls have had some impact, they “do not solve the underlying problem”.
“We need to focus on increasing domestic innovation and we need to invest in our AI workforce,” he testified.
Thierer urged a more comprehensive strategy that prioritises investment in AI research and talent development to ensure the US keeps its competitive edge.
The call for a broader approach was echoed by US congressman Frank Lucas, an Oklahoma Republican who highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The US “cannot afford to neglect” any aspect of AI development if it hopes to stay ahead of countries like China, Lucas said, adding that the approach should focus on “the entire system – innovation, talent and technology development”.
Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat, voiced similar concerns, stressing a need for a strong domestic AI workforce and ensuring “that we have the resources to keep our researchers and engineers at the cutting edge of AI development”.
Lofgren went further, chiding the Trump administration for firing “thousands of government professionals in critical technology roles” and deporting “graduate students for exercising their First Amendment rights”.
She was referring to the hundreds of foreign students who have had their visas revoked recently for taking part in campus protests backing the Palestinian cause in Gaza.
This policy implemented by US President Donald Trump’s State Department was “effectively broadcasting to foreign students and scientists to stay away”, Lofgren said.

Julia Stoyanovich of New York University testified on the critical role of investment in academia, saying that without sustained funding for AI research the US could lose the talent that has historically driven innovation in the field.
“We need to make sure that we’re fostering the right conditions to keep this talent here,” said Stoyanovich.
The computer scientist also expressed concerns about DeepSeek’s data privacy practices, explaining that the company’s policy indicates that user information is stored on servers in China.
Transparency is crucial for ensuring that data is handled in accordance with legal and ethical standards, she added.
Haley Stevens, a Michigan Democrat, supported Stoyanovich’s concerns about data governance, stating that effective privacy protections were vital to both national security and public trust.
“We cannot allow models from China or any other country to capture and misuse our data,” said Stevens, who believed clear frameworks would bring about the safe development and deployment of AI technologies.
The hearing further highlighted the broader geopolitical implications of AI development.
Gregory Allen of the Wadhwani AI Centre, said the US must act decisively to maintain its technological leadership.
“DeepSeek’s success did not come out of nowhere,” Allen said. “It’s the result of years of sustained effort and now they are a serious competitor.”
If the US does not respond effectively, he added, the brisk pace of China’s AI advancements would pose a significant threat.


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US must boost AI funding to vie with China, not rely just on export controls, House hears

Deepseek’s low-cost AI model was developed with significantly fewer computing resources than those of bigger US tech firms like OpenAI and Meta. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump holds up an executive order at the White House in Washington. Photo: AFP

DeepSeek, Alibaba help China narrow gap with US in leading AI models: Stanford report

Alibaba’s Qwen logo is displayed next to a humanoid robot face in this illustration picture take January 25, 2025. Photo: Shutterstock Images

The letters ‘AI’ are shown on a laptop screen next to the logo of DeepSeek. Photo: AFP

China’s AI progress could be partly attributed to its efforts in AI research and patents. Photo: DigiTimes

DeepSeek unveils new AI reasoning method as anticipation for its next-gen model rises

DeepSeek has unveiled a new approach to improving reasoning AI models amid anticipation for the release of the follow-up to its popular R1 model. Photo: AFP

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Peking University has topped a list of institutions ranked by AI research output, as China’s challenge to America for global AI dominance grows. Photo: Shutterstock

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A staff member tests a humanoid robot from a company based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Photo: Xinhua

The Tencent headquarters in Shenzhen. Photo: AFP

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. File photo: Reuters

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Beijing’s ability to develop cutting-edge systems at fraction of cost of American competitors could shift balance of tech and economic power


Beijing’s ability to develop cutting-edge systems at fraction of cost of American competitors could shift balance of tech and economic power.
