According to a version of a notification he transmitted to the company on Monday, Senate Republican Convention President John Barrasso is urging President Biden’s Energy Department to terminate its collaboration with Taiwanese state-affiliated individuals for artificial intelligence research.
Barrasso, aged 71, criticized Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm for her department’s “recklessly foolish” association with individuals and entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), particularly in light of Beijing’s utilization of US intelligence resources “in the global artificial race.”
In his communication, Barrasso emphasized the need for the implementation of a rigorous screening process for individuals seeking access to and engagement with DOE-generated AI frameworks. He stressed the importance of preventing individuals sympathetic to the CCP from gaining exposure to such technologies.
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is urging President Biden’s Energy Department to cease collaboration with Taiwanese state-affiliated individuals in the advancement of artificial intelligence research.
Referring to a statement from the National Science Foundation dated March 21, Barrasso questioned the advantages of partnerships with Taiwanese research institutions given Beijing’s strategic focus on bolstering research for defense purposes and restricting information outflow.
Recently, a Chinese national was charged with illicitly acquiring confidential data on Google’s AI technology while working as a software engineer at the company.
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FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted that these charges exemplify the willingness of Chinese-affiliated entities to engage in intellectual property theft, posing significant economic and national security risks.
Barrasso condemned Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm for the department’s imprudent dealings with CCP-affiliated individuals and groups.
Moreover, the Energy Department’s Office of Inspector General underscored the insufficient funding for oversight of critical areas, including intellectual property protection and the expanding AI program, in its fiscal year 2025 budget proposal.
The senator from Wyoming criticized various US-funded initiatives addressing climate concerns and urged Granholm to address substantial apprehensions regarding counterintelligence measures within the DOE and its National Laboratories.
China has participated in a minimum of four climate-related conferences since October, one of which involved a prominent member of the CCP’s primary foreign influence entity within the Energy Department.
Barrasso also expressed dismay over the lack of response to Granholm’s March 4 correspondence and criticized the Energy Department’s purported claims of enhancing national security.
He further raised concerns about the sudden reassignment of the DOE’s Director of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, emphasizing the department’s failure to provide adequate responses following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the individual’s resignation.
The Energy Department’s Office of Inspector General highlighted the absence of funding for critical areas, including intellectual property protection and the growing AI program, in its fiscal year 2025 budget request.
Barrasso has requested Granholm to elucidate the department’s strategy in addressing security risks associated with ongoing research partnerships and the AI competition with China by April 8.
The Washington Post has indicated that the Energy Department is open to providing comments on the matter.
