Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the defining technology of our century, poised to reshape global power dynamics and transform industries in ways we are only beginning to grasp. I recently had the opportunity to discuss this topic with Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, whose company sits at the forefront of global AI innovation. He echoed what I have heard from other leaders across the semiconductor and computer sectors: The federal government and private industry must move in lockstep to maintain American leadership in AI innovation. Our national security depends on crafting regulatory frameworks that prevent our adversaries from benefiting from our technological advances while ensuring the industry can thrive and innovate.

I have led the charge to change the Bureau of Industry and Security Rule 00636, issued by the Biden administration, that threatened these objectives by constraining companies in ways that may ultimately harm our national security. Last week, this rule was dismantled. This rule would have imposed sweeping export controls on integrated circuits above specific performance benchmarks. While billed as a means to stop foreign adversaries from obtaining advanced AI chips, its broad scope and three-tier licensing structure could have seriously limited the ability of American innovators to compete in more than 150 countries, including some NATO allies. Implementing this rule, which was scheduled for May 15, would have ceded ground in emerging markets to our adversaries as China seeks to outcompete us across all critical technology areas.

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Export controls are an essential tool for meeting our national security objectives. But they must be implemented with precision, flexibility, and strategic foresight. That’s why I introduced H.R. 1486, the Economic Espionage Prevention Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. This legislation strengthens our ability to safeguard American innovation by authorizing sanctions against foreign entities that support Russia’s military, violate U.S. export controls, or steal American intellectual property. It also requires a report assessing China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base and modernizes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, giving us the authority to act decisively against economic threats from China and other adversaries.

In addition, I strongly support an approach to AI diffusion that enables American firms to generate the capital needed to invest in next-generation semiconductors and expand American manufacturing. This is squarely in line with President Donald Trump’s economic agenda and directly supports American national security interests. 

A TECHNO-INDUSTRIAL POLICY PLAYBOOK FOR THE US

I recently wrote a letter to Secretary Howard Lutnick urging the Department of Commerce to suspend or replace the Biden administration’s AI diffusion rule with a more targeted framework reinforcing America’s role as the world’s preferred technology partner. Protecting U.S. innovation and industry is a matter of economic growth and national security. By working with American companies to enact targeted export controls and foster a competitive environment, we can prevent Chinese government-backed entities from filling the market void and ensure that our allies continue to choose American technology.

Artificial intelligence is a strategic domain with immense economic and geopolitical consequences, and our actions today will define America’s ability to lead the way. Our national security interests demand that we preserve U.S. leadership in this field, and that means we need policies that support a comprehensive, public-private approach to achieving our national security goals. I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of AI research and development.

Rich McCormick, M.D., represents Georgia’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.