House Plans NSA AI Security Playbook Against China Threats

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced legislation directing the National Security Agency (NSA) to develop an AI security playbook aimed at protecting American artificial intelligence systems from foreign adversaries, particularly China. The proposed Advanced AI Security Readiness Act mandates the NSA to identify vulnerabilities in AI data centers and technologies, and to propose cybersecurity strategies, personnel vetting, and emergency response plans to safeguard sensitive AI components such as models and algorithms. The playbook would include both classified and public versions to guide industry stakeholders and national security agencies. This initiative responds to concerns over foreign espionage and cyber threats, exemplified by incidents involving Chinese AI startups accused of illicitly acquiring U.S. AI model insights. In parallel, the NSA and allied cybersecurity agencies from countries including the UK and Australia have issued guidance on securing the integrity of AI training data, recommending layered defenses such as data provenance tracking, encryption, and zero trust architectures to mitigate risks like data poisoning and tampering. The legislative and cybersecurity efforts reflect a broader strategic priority to maintain U.S. leadership in AI technology, with implications extending beyond national security to investor interest in AI-related markets and cryptocurrencies.