CSET Senior Fellow Andrew Lohn Testifies Before U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

2026-04-30 · Source: Center for Security and Emerging Technology · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Advanced, quick

Summary

Andrew Lohn, a Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on April 30, 2026. His testimony, part of a hearing on "China’s Expanding Strategy for Data Dominance," detailed China’s historical pursuit of U.S. data, including past cyberattacks like Titan Rain and Operation Aurora. Lohn highlighted China’s mixed incentives for acquiring American AI technologies, despite banning models and restricting chip purchases, noting their active steps to obtain expertise, hardware, and models. He also discussed AI's dual role in cybersecurity, enhancing cyberattacks while offering new defensive capabilities, though the balance between offense and defense remains unclear. Lohn concluded with recommendations for U.S. policymakers, emphasizing stronger cybersecurity, federal cyber standards, talent retention, and safeguards against theft for any public AI development support.

Key takeaway

For U.S. policymakers considering investments in AI development, you must demand robust assurances from developers that they can protect the technology from foreign acquisition. Without strong safeguards against theft, public support for AI infrastructure and corporations risks inadvertently benefiting adversaries like China, undermining national security and taxpayer interests. Prioritize policies that attract and retain cybersecurity talent while implementing federal cyber standards.

Key insights

China actively pursues U.S. AI expertise, hardware, and models despite bans, impacting the cyber offense-defense balance.

Principles

• AI enhances both cyberattacks and cyber defenses.
• Public AI support requires strong safeguards against theft.

In practice

• Strengthen cybersecurity through technical measures.
• Establish federal cyber standards.
• Address threats like distillation and illicit hardware flows.

Topics

• U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
• China's Data Dominance
• AI Acquisition Strategy
• Cybersecurity Challenges
• AI in Cyber Offense-Defense

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Director of AI/ML, Policy Maker, AI Security Engineer, Research Scientist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Center for Security and Emerging Technology.