Download DeepSeek, go to jail for 20 yrs: US Senator Hawley proposes prison time for using Chinese AI

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, has introduced a new bill that could send individuals to jail for up to 20 years if they knowingly download Chinese-developed artificial intelligence models, such as the rapidly growing DeepSeek.  

The bill, titled the Decoupling America’s Artificial Intelligence Capabilities from China Act, seeks to curb the import and export of AI technology between the US and China, with severe penalties for those who violate it.

Bold move against China’s AI push

The legislation comes as the popularity of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model, continues to soar. Its developers claim the model was created at a fraction of the cost of American counterparts and with less powerful computing resources, although these claims have not been fully verified. Hawley expressed concern over the model’s rise, calling it a “data-harvesting, low-cost AI” that is causing global unease. The bill aims to stop the flow of data and technology that could potentially strengthen China’s AI capabilities at the expense of US economic power.

Hawley’s bill proposes that American companies be barred from researching AI in China or collaborating with Chinese firms. It would also prevent US companies from investing in Chinese AI development. However, critics worry that the bill’s broad language could lead to unintended consequences, such as criminalising the downloading of DeepSeek and similar AI models.

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Potential fallout for ordinary users and researchers

While the bill targets businesses and government entities, its broad provisions could affect regular users who download Chinese AI models. If someone were to knowingly download DeepSeek, they could face hefty fines or imprisonment under the proposed legislation, which follows penalties set by the 2018 Export Control Reform Act. However, experts have raised concerns about the bill’s vagueness. Some argue that it might penalise individuals who unknowingly download an app like DeepSeek, despite the bill specifying that penalties apply only to “willful” actions.

The bill could also disrupt the AI research community. As part of its provisions, it prohibits the “transfer of research” and the publication of AI models or research papers that might end up in China. This could negatively impact academics who often share their work publicly, including research papers from Chinese researchers.

Collaborations under threat

If passed, the bill could stifle collaboration between US and Chinese researchers, potentially harming global AI development. The legislation proposes hefty fines for US companies that collaborate with Chinese universities or companies. Critics fear this could undermine the open, collaborative nature of scientific research, particularly in AI, which relies on knowledge sharing across borders.

While the bill may seem overly ambitious, there is bipartisan support for legislation that challenges China’s growing influence in the tech world. Although the bill’s future remains uncertain, it’s clear that the US is taking significant steps to safeguard its position as a leader in AI development.

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