U.S. Lawmakers Seek Scrutiny of China's Advancements in Photonics

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has requested the Department of Commerce to examine China's advancements in silicon photonic technology for potential national security threats. This technology is critical for the development of artificial intelligence systems and involves transmitting information using light within computer systems, leading to significant improvements in speed and efficiency.

Major players in the AI chip industry, such as NASDAQ: NVDA (Nvidia) and NASDAQ: AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), are exploring ways to incorporate photonics into their products. Additionally, a startup in Silicon Valley, Lightmatter, recently raised $400 million, boosting its valuation to $4.4 billion.

China's interest in this technology is clearly reflected in recent efforts to fund the development of photonic chips in Guangdong province, as reported by state media. In light of these developments, the U.S. House of Representatives' select committee on China requested the Department of Commerce on Monday to assess the risks associated with China's photonic research and consider reviewing export control regulations to protect U.S. technological advancements.

Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi emphasized the dual-use nature of photonic technology in their letters; this technology could be diverted for military purposes by problematic actors. Their concerns are supported by the observation of Sunny Cheung, a co-researcher on China studies at the Jamestown Foundation, who noted that China is rapidly mobilizing resources and encouraging local and regional governments to focus on photonic technology.

The Department of Commerce confirmed receipt of the letter and stated that a response would come through the appropriate channels. This inquiry into China's activities in the silicon photonics field underscores the ongoing scrutiny of technological advancements and their implications for national security.