Rep. Fong Delivers Opening Statement in Hearing on Threats Posed by PRC Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies

Rep. Vince Fong delivered an opening statement on March 17, 2026, in a hearing examining security concerns over artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous technologies from companies affiliated with the People's Republic of China. The California Republican and member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection spoke in Washington. The hearing addressed ways to strengthen the U.S. technology and manufacturing base. Fong said the subcommittee is examining a national security challenge unfolding in the United States. The People's Republic of China is moving aggressively to dominate artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems. This competition is present on American campuses, in police departments, on smartphones, and within critical infrastructure. Fong described a pattern seen before in solar panels, drones, and electric vehicles. Chinese companies replicate or acquire American innovation, benefit from state support, undercut competitors, and collect data to expand Beijing's reach. He said the pattern now appears in artificial intelligence and robotics. Fong highlighted DeepSeek. In January 2025 the company released a model rivaling American systems at a claimed fraction of the cost. He said concerns arose that DeepSeek used proprietary models without consent through distillation, with later reports of an industrial-scale campaign in February 2026 involving other Chinese firms. The DeepSeek application is available in the Apple App Store, Fong said. Every interaction is stored on servers in the People's Republic of China, where authorities can demand access under Chinese law. Researchers documented that the system censors questions sensitive to Beijing and produces responses aligning with Chinese Communist Party positions. Fong raised similar concerns about Unitree Robotics. The company has become a dominant supplier of robotic dogs and humanoid robots appearing in U.S. police departments, universities, and federal agencies. Vulnerabilities in the systems could allow unauthorized access to camera feeds, remote control, spread of attacks, and transmission of data to China, according to Fong. Fong said American companies are innovating in these fields. The response should include investment in trusted alternatives, stronger cybersecurity practices, and prevention of federal funds supporting platforms that put data and infrastructure at risk. He looked forward to witness testimony on the threats.