MEDIA ADVISORY: Subcommittee Hearing on National Security Risks Posed by PRC Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Chairman Andy Ogles (R-TN) announced a hearing for Tuesday, March 17, to examine the growing national and economic security threats associated with artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and autonomous sensing technologies developed by companies affiliated with the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The hearing will focus on companies such as DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics and examine how these firms develop and deploy advanced technologies along with the potential risks these systems pose to U.S. critical infrastructure, government networks, and sensitive industrial sectors. As PRC-developed AI systems, robotics platforms, and autonomous sensing technologies increasingly enter global markets, the Subcommittee will assess whether existing federal procurement safeguards, guidance, and supply chain security tools are sufficient to address these risks, as well as examine steps Congress can take to strengthen U.S. companies and reinforce the domestic technology and manufacturing base.

"Communist China's infiltration of U.S. networks through cyber campaigns like Salt Typhoon offers a preview of the risks we face when Beijing gains access to sensitive systems and data. Those risks could grow even more severe if CCP-backed technologies become embedded across key sectors of the U.S. economy. From AI systems like DeepSeek, which may be built on stolen intellectual property, to Chinese robotic and sensing companies like Unitree Robotics, America cannot risk dependence on or exposure to technology created by one of our greatest, most sophisticated adversaries," Subcommittee Chairman Ogles said. "The threats we face to our way of life from adversaries like China should be reason enough for Democrats to end this dangerous shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has placed two-thirds of the personnel at its core cybersecurity agency on leave."

DETAILS:

What: A Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection hearing entitled, "DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics: Examining the National Security Risks of PRC Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies and Building a Secure U.S. Technology Base."

When: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM EDT

Where: 310 Cannon House Office Building

WITNESSES:

Max Fenkell
Global Head of Policy and Government Relations, Scale AI

Matthew Malchano
Vice President of Software, Boston Dynamics

Michael Robbins
President and CEO, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International

Rush Doshi
C.V. Starr Senior Fellow for Asia Studies and Director of the China Strategy Initiative, Council on Foreign Relations

Witness testimony will be added here. The hearing will be livestreamed on YouTube and will be open to the public and press. Press must be congressionally credentialed and should RSVP in advance.

BACKGROUND:

In January 2025, Subcommittee Chairman Ogles held a hearing to examine how the nation can strengthen its approach to offensive cyber operations as adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran continue targeting U.S. networks and critical infrastructure with increasingly sophisticated cyber campaigns. In December 2025, Subcommittee Chairman Ogles and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Josh Brecheen (R-OK) convened a joint subcommittee hearing to examine threats stemming from foreign adversaries' use of emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and hyperscale cloud infrastructure, as well as how the U.S. can leverage this technology to defend the nation's networks from malicious actors.

In November 2025, the House passed two Committee bills led by Chairman Ogles to bolster the nation's cybersecurity posture. H.R. 5078, the "Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act " (PILLAR Act), would reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security's State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. The bill garnered widespread industry and government support. H.R. 2659, the "Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act," would establish an interagency task force to address the widespread cybersecurity threats posed by state-sponsored cyber actors associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In January, Subcommittee Chairman Ogles penned an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, warning that escalating cyber threats from sophisticated adversaries demand urgent, proactive action.

###