
Must draw a hard line: US lawmakers want AI systems from these countries to be ‘banned' from government agencies
Representative Image
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have proposed a bill to ban AI systems from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from federal executive agencies, a report claims. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the legislation wants to create a permanent framework to prohibit the use of these foreign-developed AI models by US government agencies. The recently introduced bill by Representative John Moolenaar (Republican-Michigan) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat-Illinois) would require the Federal Acquisition Security Council to establish and regularly update a list of AI models developed in these countries.
What US lawmakers said about this bill
In a statement to Reuters, Moolenaar said:
'The US must draw a hard line: hostile AI systems have no business operating inside our government. This legislation creates a permanent firewall to keep adversary AI out of our most sensitive networks, where the cost of compromise is simply too high.'
Under the proposed law, federal agencies would be barred from purchasing or using these AI technologies unless granted a specific exemption, such as for research purposes, from the US Congress or the Office of Management and Budget, Reuters reported. The bill also includes a provision allowing technologies to be removed from the banned list if proof is provided that they are not controlled or influenced by a foreign adversary.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
This comes after a previous Reuters report cited a senior US official who claimed that DeepSeek is helping China's military and intelligence operations, and the Chinese AI company has had access to "large volumes" of Nvidia's chips.
In January, DeepSeek came into the spotlight by announcing it had developed an AI model similar in capability to OpenAI's ChatGPT but at a lower cost. Since then, several US companies and government agencies have restricted its use due to data security concerns, and the Trump administration is reportedly considering a ban on its use on federal devices.
The bill was co-sponsored by US Representative Ritchie Torres (Democrat-New York) and Representative Darin LaHood (Republican-Illinois). In the US Senate, it is being led by Senators Rick Scott (Republican-Florida) and Gary Peters (Democrat-Michigan), the Reuters report added.
Redmi Pad 2: Know these Things Before Buying!
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Action on terror, focus on peace: Rajnath Singh attends SCO defence meet in Qingdao, pushes India's security vision
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Qingdao, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting—his visit marking the first by a senior Indian leader since the 2020 Ladakh border standoff. Singh will present India's call for united action on terrorism and regional security while advocating deeper trade and connectivity within the bloc. He is also expected to hold key bilateral talks with his Chinese and Russian counterparts. India views the SCO as critical to advancing its security, diplomatic, and strategic goals. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Looking forward to Present India's vision': Singh Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pushing for action on terror Pakistan, China, and the SCO setting Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why the SCO is important for India Advance regional counter-terrorism cooperation Push for a more balanced, multipolar security framework Deepen engagement with Central Asian nations Support infrastructure goals like the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao on Thursday, becoming the first senior Indian minister to visit China since the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) erupted in May landed in the eastern Chinese port city on Wednesday evening and was received at the airport by Indian Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat. His presence at the SCO forum marks a significant diplomatic development as both countries cautiously work to restore functional ties after years of frozen military face-off, which lasted more than three years, saw gradual disengagement. It formally concluded with both sides withdrawing from the final two friction points at Depsang and Demchok in October 2023. That agreement came just two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan. There, they decided to revive the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism. In December, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Beijing and met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to take this dialogue Singh's presence in Qingdao is seen as part of a cautious but clear Indian effort to re-engage through diplomacy—without backing away from core leaving for China, Singh posted on X, 'Today, 25th June, I shall be leaving for Qingdao, China, to take part in the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting.'He added, 'I will have the opportunity to interact with various Defence Ministers on a wide range of issues. Looking forward to present India's vision for global peace and security and also, call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism .'The remarks were a clear signal that India will continue using multilateral forums like the SCO to press its security priorities, especially on terrorism and extremism—issues where India has often found itself at odds with Pakistan, another SCO line with India's longstanding position, Singh is expected to call on SCO member states to adopt a united and firm approach against terrorism, extremism, and cross-border violence.A Ministry of Defence press release said, "Raksha Mantri is expected to highlight India's continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India's vision towards achieving greater international peace & security, call for joint & consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism & extremism in the region, and stress on the need for greater trade, economic cooperation and connectivity within SCO."India has consistently used the SCO platform to raise its concerns about Pakistan-backed terrorism and to seek stronger cooperation against UN-proscribed terror groups operating in the year, Singh is also likely to bring up ongoing tensions in West Asia during his interactions with Chinese and Russian officials. These bilateral meetings are expected to be held on the sidelines of the Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also travelled to Qingdao and was received by China's Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. China is hosting the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting as the current Chair of the organisation, under the theme 'Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.'India remains wary of China's ambitions in the region—particularly through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—which it has refused to endorse. However, New Delhi sees strategic utility in the SCO, particularly in engaging Central Asia, maintaining ties with Russia, and managing its delicate relationships with China and in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO has expanded to include India, Pakistan (2017), and more recently Iran and Belarus. It is now a regional forum of ten full members, covering political, security, and economic sees the SCO as a critical diplomatic space to:At the same time, it provides a buffer—however limited—to navigate tensions with Beijing and Islamabad within a multilateral presence in China, after years of strained relations, is a deliberate step—but it comes with clear expectations. India wants the SCO to move beyond rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. It is also looking to assert its own regional vision—of open, rules-based cooperation—without being pulled into a China-centric model of Defence Ministers' meeting is expected to conclude with a joint declaration. Whether or not it reflects India's demands remains to be seen. But New Delhi's message is unlikely to be missed.


Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Thailand moves to recriminalize cannabis, disrupting $1 billion marijuana industry
Thailand is moving to recriminalize cannabis, reversing its 2022 decriminalization and impacting a marijuana industry valued at over $1 billion. New regulations will ban recreational cannabis use and require prescriptions for medical sales. The policy shift affects thousands of cannabis businesses, sparking uncertainty among retailers, investors, and international tourists Thailand's cannabis industry faces disruption as the government moves to recriminalize marijuana, banning recreational cannabis use and restricting sales to medical purposes, impacting dispensaries in tourism hubs like Bangkok's Khao San Road REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Thailand's government is moving to recriminalize cannabis, initiating new restrictions on the marijuana industry that has grown rapidly since decriminalization in 2022. The Ministry of Public Health has issued a directive banning the sale of cannabis for recreational use and mandating that any retail purchase require a prescription from a licensed medical Minister Somsak Thepsuthin confirmed on Tuesday, June 24, that, 'Cannabis will be classified as a narcotic in the future.' The new rules will become law once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which is expected in the coming read: Thailand to tighten control on cannabis after smuggling ... This policy reversal follows political instability in the ruling coalition. The Bhumjaithai Party, which had advocated for cannabis legalization, withdrew from the government last week after tensions involving Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's handling of a border dispute with move comes three years after Thailand became the first Asian nation to decriminalize recreational cannabis. However, the 2022 policy shift lacked a regulatory framework, resulting in rapid expansion of cannabis-related businesses across the country. Tens of thousands of dispensaries opened, especially in tourism-heavy regions such as Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chiang Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated that the marijuana industry, including both recreational and medical cannabis, could reach a valuation of $1.2 billion by officials now say that unregulated access has created serious social issues, particularly affecting minors. 'The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,' said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub in a read: Thailand tightens border controls for tourists after Cambodia clash Cannabis industry workers and business owners expressed concern about the abrupt shift. 'This is my main source of income,' said Punnathat Phutthisawong, 25, an employee at Green House Thailand in Bangkok. 'Many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily.'Chokwan 'Kitty' Chopaka, a longtime cannabis advocate, said the industry has been stifled by political interference. 'The cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics,' she the pending regulation, cannabis dispensaries in key tourism areas remain open. On Khao San Road in Bangkok, tourists were still visiting local shops. 'There are shops everywhere, so how do they reverse this? I don't think they can,' said Daniel Wolf, a visitor from Australia. 'It's absolutely insane.'
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
27 minutes ago
- First Post
CIA backs Trump, says US strikes 'severely damaged' Iranian nuclear sites
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has said that key nuclear sites in Iran have been destroyed. However, he fell short of giving more details on whether the country's nuclear programme has been eliminated entirely read more A satellite image shows damage to the tunnel entrances of the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Research Centre, following US airstrikes amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Isfahan, Iran. Maxar Technologies/Reuters The head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has said that the US strikes on Iran 'severely damaged' its nuclear facilities and set them back by years, as a leaked intelligence report creates ruckus about the extent of destruction caused by the attacks, angering President Donald Trump. CIA Director John Ratcliffe has said that key nuclear sites in Iran have been destroyed. However, he fell short of giving more details on whether the country's nuclear programme has been eliminated entirely. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Refresh for updates