A recent report from the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) highlights alarming foreign attempts to impede the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States. The findings reveal a coordinated effort by foreign interests, particularly from China, to undermine U.S. AI initiatives through various methods, including disinformation and funding.
The report identifies three main vectors of foreign influence. First, it points to state-sponsored media from China and Russia that have actively targeted U.S. AI data centers. Outlets such as CGTN, China Daily, and RT have launched campaigns criticizing U.S. AI export controls, while the Chinese government subsidizes its own AI data center operators by covering up to half their energy costs. This stark contrast raises questions about the competitive environment for AI development between the two nations.
Second, the BPI report uncovers a network of U.S. nonprofits aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Funded by expatriate Neville Roy Singham, who is currently under congressional scrutiny for his connections to the CCP, these organizations have spent nearly five years producing content that opposes American AI infrastructure. Their activities highlight a significant effort to sway public opinion and policy in favor of foreign interests.
Additionally, the report reveals that over $2 billion in funding has been funneled from foreign billionaires into U.S. advocacy groups. Notable figures include Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss and British billionaire Alan Parker, whose charitable foundations have backed campaigns that eventually led to the introduction of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act. This legislation, which aims to halt AI data center construction, was introduced just 107 days after a coalition letter signed by over 230 organizations was released, many of which are linked to the foreign-funding networks discussed in the report.
At the local level, the impact of these campaigns is evident, with more than 54 local moratoriums on AI data centers already enacted across the country, and nine more under consideration. This trend reflects growing unease about the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, but the BPI report argues that such concerns should not be exploited by foreign interests.
The report also details a troubling event held in April 2026, where two panelists affiliated with the Chinese government participated in a U.S. Senate discussion on the dangers posed by AI. This meeting, convened by Senator Bernie Sanders, took place shortly after the introduction of the moratorium legislation, raising further questions about the motivations behind discussions surrounding AI safety.
Sam Lyman, Head of Policy at BPI, stressed the need to ensure that conversations about AI safety are not swayed by geopolitical rivals. He stated, "Ensuring that AI is safe and empowers American workers must be a top priority for U.S. policymakers. But the discussion about AI safety should not be influenced by geopolitical rivals, especially China, whose leaders have publicly stated their intentions to accelerate AI development to gain the initiative in global science and technology competition."
With legitimate concerns about the implications of AI development for water use, energy costs, and grid capacity, the BPI report calls for greater transparency regarding foreign funding in U.S. advocacy organizations. It suggests that Congress should legislate mandatory disclosure of foreign-source funding to ensure that American policymaking remains free from external influence.
As the debate over AI continues to intensify, the findings of this report serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play in the race for AI supremacy. Policymakers are urged to remain vigilant and to create an environment where local deliberation is based on clear information rather than hidden foreign agendas.
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