The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, led by Chairman Andy Ogles (R-TN), held a hearing on March 17 to examine the growing national and economic security threats associated with artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and autonomous sensing technologies developed by companies affiliated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The hearing focused on companies such as DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics, examining how these firms develop and deploy advanced technologies, as well as the potential risks these systems pose to U.S. critical infrastructure, government networks, and sensitive industrial sectors. As PRC-developed AI systems, robotics platforms, and autonomous sensing technologies continue to enter global markets, lawmakers assessed whether existing federal procurement safeguards, guidance, and supply chain security tools are sufficient to address these risks, and reviewed potential steps to strengthen U.S. companies and reinforce the domestic technology and manufacturing base.
“Communist China’s infiltration of U.S. networks through cyber campaigns like Salt Typhoon offers a preview of the risks we face when Beijing gains access to sensitive systems and data. Those risks could grow even more severe if CCP-backed technologies become embedded across key sectors of the U.S. economy. From AI systems like DeepSeek, which may be built on stolen intellectual property, to Chinese robotic and sensing companies like Unitree Robotics, America cannot risk dependence on or exposure to technology created by one of our greatest, most sophisticated adversaries,” Subcommittee Chairman Ogles said. “The threats we face to our way of life from adversaries like China should be reason enough for Democrats to end this dangerous shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has placed two-thirds of the personnel at its core cybersecurity agency on leave.”
WITNESSES:
Max Fenkell
Global Head of Policy and Government Relations, Scale AI
Matthew Malchano
Vice President of Software, Boston Dynamics
Michael Robbins
President and CEO, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International
Rush Doshi
C.V. Starr Senior Fellow for Asia Studies and Director of the China Strategy Initiative, Council on Foreign Relations
