Legislation to promote adoption of US open-source models while publicising the risks associated with using their Chinese counterparts
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenVincent Chowin WashingtonandLucy Quagginin New YorkPublished: 5:08am, 2 Sep 2026Updated: 5:12am, 2 Sep 2026The US Congress on Tuesday advanced a new bill that seeks to establish American global leadership in open-source artificial intelligence, an area where China currently dominates, by promoting adoption of US open-source models and publicising risks associated with using their Chinese counterparts.The legislation was one of several proposals marked up in the US House of Representatives targeting China amid escalating tech competition between the two countries.Congressional committees “mark up” a proposed bill by reviewing it line by line, debating its merits and voting on changes or amendments before deciding whether to send it for a full House or Senate vote.
Open-weight, or open-source, models are AI models that are released freely over the internet, allowing users with the necessary hardware to download and customise them for their own use.
