House Science Convenes Hearing on DeepSeek
Summary
On April 8, 2025, the House Science, Space and Technology Research and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing on “DeepSeek: A Deep Dive,” featuring testimony from Adam Thierer of the R Street Institute, Gregory Allen of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Julia Stoyanovich of New York University’s Center for Responsible AI, and Tim Fist of the Institute for Progress. During the hearing, witnesses cautioned against dismissing China’s AI gains as mere imitation. While models like DeepSeek-R1 may be built on U.S. innovations, experts testified that Chinese firms are making genuine breakthroughs, launching competitive and cost-efficient models at a rapid pace. There was bipartisan agreement on the need to respond to China’s AI gains. Witnesses differed on solutions—such as export controls—but emphasized the importance of sustained U.S. investment in science and technology, including reversing recent budget cuts.
