Sen. Tom Cotton is raising significant concerns about foreign influence on America’s artificial intelligence landscape, particularly regarding a campaign linked to China. In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Cotton emphasized the importance of investigating potential efforts by foreign actors aimed at swaying U.S. public opinion and policy against data centers and AI development.
“The reason is obvious: they want to kneecap our processing power to win the AI race,” Cotton stated. His letter comes amid revelations from the Bitcoin Policy Institute, which detailed how Chinese state media and foreign-funded advocacy groups, including organizations tied to American tycoon Neville Roy Singham, have spent years opposing U.S. data center construction and AI projects.
Singham, who now resides in Shanghai, has been a focal point in ongoing congressional investigations. He has reportedly funneled substantial funds—nearly $278 million—into nonprofits that have campaigned against technological advancements in the U.S. Notable groups receiving funding include CodePink and Tricontinental, both of which have played roles in protesting against AI development.
As highlighted in Cotton’s letter, there is a troubling alliance forming among various activist groups supported by Chinese resources. This coalition features not only environmental movements but also groups with broader anti-American agendas. Experts warn that this could create a “red-green-green alliance” which combines communist, Islamist, and environmentalist interests under a shared hatred for America.
The stakes are high, with Cotton arguing that advancing AI capabilities has implications for national security, economic stability, and global influence. He has previously championed the “DATA Act of 2026,” aimed at facilitating the growth of energy-intensive industries by lifting regulatory barriers, demonstrating his urgency in addressing these challenges.
The Bitcoin Policy Institute’s report illustrates a coordinated push against American technological infrastructure, positioning these efforts as detrimental to U.S. competitiveness in the AI realm. In contrast, the Chinese government continues to invest heavily in its AI capabilities, even subsidizing energy costs for its data centers while leveraging a narrative that criticizes the environmental impact of American operations.
Concerns about U.S. policy being manipulated extend to other political figures. The presence of speakers closely associated with the Chinese Communist Party at events held by figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez raises serious questions about the motivations behind their agendas. Cotton specifically points out the affiliations of some of these speakers with institutions like Tsinghua University, known for its connection to China’s military strategy.
As the debate around AI infrastructure intensifies, the implications of foreign influence continue to grow. Cotton’s call for a Justice Department investigation reflects a broader recognition that these issues threaten not only technological independence but also the very fabric of U.S. sovereignty in the face of an aggressive global adversary.
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