US lawmakers move to mandate first comprehensive review of China’s AI capabilities

AdvertisementUS-China relationsUSPoliticsUS lawmakers move to mandate first comprehensive review of China’s AI capabilities

Draft bill would require mapping Beijing’s progress, key firms and risks, with side-by-side comparisons to US systems within 180 days

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Yuanyue Dangin WashingtonPublished: 5:59am, 29 Apr 2026Updated: 6:33am, 29 Apr 2026

As the race with China over artificial intelligence intensifies, US lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled a draft bill that would, for the first time, require the State Department to deliver a detailed assessment of Beijing’s artificial intelligence ambitions, including identifying “specific AI leaders”.

The State Department should provide Congress with a comprehensive report on China’s AI development, including its “progress using independent, publicly available benchmarks to achieve autonomous research capability and to self-improve performance without human intervention”, along with a comparison to US AI systems during the same period, the House Committee on Appropriations said.

The report would be due within 180 days after enactment of the financial year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, according to the draft released on Tuesday.

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It marks the first time the committee has included China-related AI provisions in its foreign affairs appropriations track.

The State Department’s report should also identify Chinese companies that are “specific AI leaders” and compare US and Chinese approaches to “AI safety, ethical considerations, and security risks,” the bill under consideration says.

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The House Committee on Appropriations drafts and reviews the US government’s annual spending bills, setting specific funding levels and conditions for agencies ranging from the State Department to the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security.

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