The US House Foreign Affairs Committee has advanced the “AI Overwatch Act,” a bill that would grant Congress control over the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips, a move that faces opposition from the White House. The committee voted 42 in favor, two against, and one abstained, paving the way for further legislative action despite criticism from various quarters, including White House AI czar David Sacks.
Introduced by Representative Brian Mast of Florida, the legislation aims to empower the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Banking Committee to review export licenses for high-end AI chips, notably including NVIDIA’s H200 and Blackwell models. Mast articulated the necessity of the bill, asserting that these chips are vital to military technology and should not be equated with consumer devices. “This is about the future of military warfare,” he stated.
Support for the bill transcends party lines; Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the committee’s ranking member, also expressed his backing. Meanwhile, Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas dismissed criticisms voiced on social media, suggesting that they stem from special interest groups seeking to profit from chip sales.
The bill’s advancement comes amid a broader conversation on the implications of AI technology and national security. Sacks, while opposing the legislation, echoed concerns shared on social media, suggesting that the bill could be a tactic employed by “Never Trumpers” and former Obama and Biden staffers to undermine former President Trump’s authority. This sentiment was echoed by some critics who framed the legislation as “pro-China sabotage disguised as oversight,” including conservative activist Laura Loomer.
In the realm of business, AI firms are also weighing in on the matter. Dario Amodei, CEO of AI company Anthropic, has issued warnings against exporting advanced chips to adversaries like China, comparing such actions to selling nuclear weapons to North Korea. His remarks underline a growing apprehension regarding the geopolitical implications of advanced technology transfers.
The legislation now requires approval from the full House and Senate before it can become law, marking a significant step in ongoing U.S. efforts to tighten control over critical AI technology exports. Lawmakers are increasingly recognizing the strategic importance of AI in global military and economic competition, particularly in light of developments from rival nations.
As the debate continues, the outcome of this legislation could reshape the landscape of AI chip exports, potentially influencing U.S. relations with China and other adversaries. With AI technology playing an increasingly pivotal role in military advancements, the implications of this bill will likely reverberate through both the political and technological spheres as lawmakers seek to navigate the complexities of national security and innovation.
See also
Tesseract Launches Site Manager and PRISM Vision Badge for Job Site Clarity
Affordable Android Smartwatches That Offer Great Value and Features
Russia”s AIDOL Robot Stumbles During Debut in Moscow
AI Technology Revolutionizes Meat Processing at Cargill Slaughterhouse
Seagate Unveils Exos 4U100: 3.2PB AI-Ready Storage with Advanced HAMR Tech
