US AI Leaders Urge Senate to Ease Export Controls, Boost Infrastructure Against China

Top executives from leading U.S. AI companies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and AMD, testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, urging the Biden administration to ease export controls and invest more in AI infrastructure to maintain America's lead over China in the global AI race. Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized that broad global adoption of U.S. AI technology is critical to winning the competition against China, warning that restrictive export policies could push other countries towards Chinese suppliers. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted the urgency of swift government action, including streamlined permitting and expanded access to government data, to sustain U.S. technological superiority amid China's rapid AI advancements. AMD CEO Lisa Su noted that while the U.S. currently leads in advanced AI chips, China is rapidly catching up, and even less advanced chips can still be competitive in AI development. The Senate, led by Senator Ted Cruz, is considering relaxing export restrictions and other regulatory hurdles to foster the global diffusion of AI technologies that reflect democratic values and to bolster American innovation and competitiveness. Overall, the tech leaders presented a unified call for policy reforms focused on investment, infrastructure, export flexibility, and immigration to secure the U.S. position as the epicenter of AI innovation.