U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Jim Banks sent letters to nine American artificial intelligence companies on May 1, asking about their efforts to protect against espionage from the People’s Republic of China.
The senators said they are concerned that state-backed programs, corporate infiltration, and coercive tactics from China threaten U.S. national security and economic leadership in AI technology. The lawmakers wrote, “The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has an extensive track record of conducting espionage on U.S. companies in critical sectors… Protecting AI technology from PRC espionage is of paramount importance, especially as these systems become more powerful.”
Grassley and Banks addressed their inquiries to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google LLC, x.AI Corp., Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft, Amazon, Safe Superintelligence Inc., and Thinking Machines Lab. They asked each company to explain how they detect and prevent Chinese espionage activities within their organizations. The senators also requested information about how the companies manage insider threats linked to the PRC, secure sensitive AI model information, and notify the U.S. government if a security threat arises.
Grassley brings a background that includes service in the Iowa state legislature from 1958 to 1974 according to his official website. He also has experience as a factory worker in roles such as sheet metal shearer and assembly line worker according to his official website. Grassley is one of only two farmers currently serving in the Senate; he raises corn and soybeans in Butler County, Iowa according to his official website.
In addition to his legislative work on national security issues like this inquiry into AI safeguards, Grassley assists Iowans with federal agency matters and whistleblower cases according to his official website. He holds degrees in political science from the University of Northern Iowa according to his official website.
Grassley’s personal background includes being married since 1954 with five children according to his official website.
