Two U.S. lawmakers have proposed the Cloud Security Act to address a loophole in export controls that could enable countries like China to access American AI computing power through cloud services. The legislation aims to prevent adversaries from circumventing restrictions on advanced AI chip sales by renting computing power from U.S. cloud providers. This move comes as concerns grow over foreign entities exploiting cloud platforms to access restricted semiconductor hardware.
The proposed Act would allow cloud providers to report suspected misuse of their services by customers linked to U.S. adversaries. By amending existing laws, the legislation seeks to enhance transparency and security in cloud computing. The lawmakers emphasized the need for American companies to safeguard national security interests by identifying and reporting potential threats posed by foreign actors using U.S. cloud infrastructure.
China’s pursuit of advanced computing capabilities, including AI technologies, has raised alarm among U.S. officials. The lawmakers highlighted China’s efforts to access U.S. data centers and leverage cloud computing for AI development. They underscored the importance of U.S. cloud platforms in countering China’s AI advancements, emphasizing the role of identity verification in protecting American national security.
