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Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs requested a classified briefing from the Biden administration as the chairmen remain concerned that without robust protections, sensitive U.S.-origin technology transferred as part of the Microsoft-G42 partnership could end up the CCPs hands.

Chairmen Moolenaar and McCaul write, Itis vital we do all we can to limit the PRC's [Peoples Republic of China] malign influence around the world, including in the Middle East... we support your efforts to work hand in glove with U.S. companies like Microsoft to strengthen our dominance in AI; however, we must also be clear-eyed about the risks posed by transferring our most critical AI technology particularly when it comes to countries where the PRC is active.

The lawmakers continue,Given the ties between the PRC and G42 as well as PRCs continued interests in the UAE, we ask that the National Intelligence Council prepare an official Intelligence Community assessment on the ties between G42, including its subsidiaries and affiliates, to the Chinese Communist Party, the Peoples Liberation Army, or any part of the PRCs apparatus.

Background:

In January, the Select Committeeoutlinedsome of G42s most problematic connections with Chinese military companies, state-owned enterprises, and Chinese intelligence services. According to documents reviewed by the Committee, G42s CEO Peng Xiao operates and is affiliated with an expansive network of UAE and PRC-based companies that develop dual-use technologies and materially support PRC military-civil fusion and human rights abuses. Following the Select Committees inquiry, G42 announced that it severed its relationships with some problematic Chinese entities. Then in April, Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion partnership with G42, furthering the UAEs aspirations to be a global AI leader.

However, last month, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan traveled to China and described AI as an area of deeper PRC UAE collaboration. As a result, lawmakers remain concerned that key American technology could end up the CCPs hands, originating from Microsofts partnership with G42.

The full text of the letter can be foundHERE.

See the original post here:
Letter to NSA on Microsoft's Billion Dollar Partnership with UAE Firm G42 - Select Committee on the CCP |