On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation in both the House and Senate aimed at blocking federal agencies from using artificial intelligence (AI) systems developed by foreign adversaries, specifically China. The bill is called the “No Adversarial AI Act.”
Key Provisions of the No Adversarial AI Act
The bill requires the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) to create and regularly update a public list of AI technologies developed by foreign adversary companies. This includes firms based in or controlled by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Once an AI system is on this list, federal agencies are prohibited from acquiring or using it. This restriction is designed to prevent potential national security risks, including espionage and unauthorized access to sensitive government data.
There are narrow exceptions allowed for research, testing, counterterrorism, or mission-critical functions. Any exception must be justified in writing and reported to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. The FASC is required to update the list at least every 180 days. There is also a process for removing AI systems from the list if it can be demonstrated that they are not developed or controlled by a foreign adversary.
Agencies are empowered to use existing authorities to exclude and remove covered AI products from federal systems.
Context and Motivations
The legislation was introduced amid heightened concerns about the rapid advancement of Chinese AI technology, particularly following the launch of DeepSeek, a Chinese startup whose AI model has reportedly matched the performance of leading U.S. companies like OpenAI and Google but at a much lower cost. Lawmakers and experts expressed worries that AI systems developed under authoritarian regimes could be infused with values and controls that threaten U.S. interests and national security.
The bill’s sponsors in the House include Representatives John Moolenaar (R-MI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Darin LaHood (R-IL). In the Senate, Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Gary Peters (D-MI) are leading the effort.
Broader Implications
The legislation is seen as a critical step in what lawmakers describe as a “new Cold War,” with AI at the center of strategic competition between the United States and China. The future balance of global power may be significantly influenced by which nation leads in AI development and deployment. The bill aims to ensure that U.S. federal agencies are protected from potential infiltration, espionage, or influence by adversarial foreign AI technologies.
