US AI labs are emerging target for foreign spies, experts warn Congress

By David DiMolfetta • Jul 22, 2026

The U.S. intelligence community needs to devote more resources to protecting American artificial intelligence companies from foreign espionage, former officials told the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, arguing that China will use a range of intelligence-gathering techniques to steal proprietary AI technology and advance its own military and economic goals.

The hearing, focused on emerging threats to the U.S. in the 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, also highlighted AI’s growing role across a range of national security concerns, including cyberattacks, autonomous drones and foreign influence operations.

“Of course, our intelligence services and agencies are going to have secrets that are always going to be of top desire for foreign intelligence adversaries, but if you’re [China’s Ministry of State Security] today, you’re looking at frontier model companies,” said Frank Cilluffo, a former George W. Bush homeland security official who leads Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure.