US Flags China’s AI Use as Security Threat, Warns of Global Coercion Risks

The U.S. government has raised significant concerns over China’s growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), cautioning that it may endanger the security of the United States and its global allies. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan highlighted these concerns, warning that China’s AI technology could enable mass surveillance, censorship, and widespread misinformation. Speaking at the National Defense University, Sullivan underscored the potential threats posed by China’s AI ecosystem, which he argued lacks adequate safeguards for sensitive data and could make nations reliant on this technology vulnerable to coercive tactics.

The U.S. administration has responded with a new AI directive aimed at protecting data privacy and national security. This policy seeks to offer developing nations an alternative path for AI integration, emphasizing technologies that prioritize data security and democratic values. By presenting this option, the U.S. hopes to counterbalance China’s influence, providing a technological infrastructure that upholds transparency and guards against misuse.

Sullivan emphasized that the directive reflects the U.S.’s commitment to preventing the unchecked spread of AI-driven authoritarian practices. “China’s digital infrastructure threatens to leave countries exposed to coercion, mass surveillance, and censorship,” he stated. The U.S. is actively working to reinforce AI protocols that safeguard sensitive information, ensuring that global partners can adopt AI technology without compromising their independence or security.

This latest stance underscores the escalating geopolitical tensions over AI and data privacy, with the U.S. aiming to counter China’s influence by promoting a secure and ethical AI landscape globally.