‘It is vital we do all we can to limit the PRC’s malign influence around the world, including in the Middle East,’ the lawmakers said.
“It is vital we do all we can to limit the PRC’s malign influence around the world, including in the Middle East,” the letter reads. PRC is the acronym for communist China’s official name, the People’s Republic of China.
“We support your efforts to work hand in glove with U.S. companies like Microsoft to strengthen our dominance in AI; however, we must also be clear-eyed about the risks posed by transferring our most critical AI technology particularly when it comes to countries where the PRC is active.”
The lawmakers said they want a briefing on the partnership before it advances to a second phase involving the transfer of export-restricted semiconductor chips and model weights, sophisticated data that improves an AI model’s ability to emulate human reasoning.
The letter is a sign of growing concern about the lack of regulations related to exporting sensitive AI models, as fears mount that companies such as G42 might share the prized technology with U.S. adversaries including communist China.
“We remain deeply concerned by attempts to move quickly to advance a partnership that involves the unprecedented transfer of highly sensitive, U.S.-origin technology, without congressional consultation or clearly defined regulations in place,” the lawmakers said.
Alleged Ties to Blacklisted Chinese Firms
Mr. Moolenaar and Mr. McCaul requested a U.S. assessment of G42’s ties to the CCP, its military, and any related entities before the Microsoft deal advances.
“Given the extensive national security ramifications, the criteria and conditions for the international transfer of key U.S. artificial intelligence systems must involve Congress working in close bipartisan collaboration with Executive Branch agencies and the private sector. As the Microsoft–G42 deal moves toward Phase II, our committees intend to play a proactive and constructive role,” the lawmakers wrote.
Mr. Gallagher warned that multiple U.S. tech firms developing and selling export-controlled technology have significant business ties with G42 and its subsidiaries, making them vulnerable to CCP-directed intellectual property theft.
Following the committee’s inquiry, G42 said in February it had divested its investments in China and was accepting constraints imposed upon it by the United States to work with U.S. companies.
In May, AI was among the areas of cooperation discussed between China and the UAE during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s recent visit to China.
Officials at G42, Microsoft, and the White House didn’t respond by publication time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Reuters contributed to this report.