Senator proposes bill that could jail DeepSeek users for 20 years

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has introduced legislation aimed at criminalising the use of artificial intelligence technologies developed in China, including the AI chatbot DeepSeek.

The proposed bill, known as the Decoupling America’s Artificial Intelligence Capabilities from China Act, seeks to prohibit the import and export of AI technology between the U.S. and China due to national security concerns.

While DeepSeek is not explicitly named in the bill, its functionality mirrors that of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, making it a target under this new regulation.

If enacted, the legislation would impose severe penalties for violations. Individuals could face fines of up to $1 million and prison sentences of up to 20 years.

Corporations found in breach of the law could incur fines reaching $100 million.

“Every dollar and gig of data that flows into Chinese AI are dollars and data that will ultimately be used against the United States,” stated Senator Hawley, emphasising the urgency of the situation.

He further asserted that empowering China through technology would undermine U.S. strength.

The bill would also prevent American companies from conducting AI research in China or collaborating with Chinese firms on AI projects.

Moreover, it would bar U.S. investments in Chinese AI development.

The rise of DeepSeek has raised global concerns about data privacy and security, with Italy already banning the chatbot over insufficient data protection measures.

Critics of the bill argue that it could stifle innovation within the U.S. AI sector.

Ben Brooks, a fellow at Harvard’s AI Research, described it as potentially detrimental to open-source efforts and U.S. research capabilities.

Andy Ayrey, creator of the AI chatbot Truth Terminal, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that such restrictions would hinder Western progress in AI rather than impede competitors.