William Hannas and Huey-Meei Chang shared their expert analysis in an op-ed published by Newsweek. In their piece, they discuss the ongoing challenge of China’s technology acquisition and the complexities of U.S.-China collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI). Despite U.S. restrictions, China continues to acquire technology through legal and illicit means while advancing its own research, as seen in DeepSeek’s recent AI breakthrough.

Hannas and Chang highlight the dilemma for U.S. policymakers, noting, “Efforts to ‘slow down’ China by chip embargoes push its scientists toward creative solutions, as the DeepSeek models amply demonstrate.”

The authors outline six key takeaways to balance protection and cooperation:

1. Recognize that the venues and organizations that enable China’s transfer operations are known or knowable entities. 
2. Set clear legal guidelines on what is and is not permissible, and communicate these strictures broadly within the United States and among non-U.S. citizens contemplating research or study here.
3. Encourage skilled foreign researchers to remain in the U.S. by fast-tracking citizenship, conditioned on their abiding by common-sense policies on respecting proprietary technology.
4. Require members of China’s technical support guilds, sponsors of and participants in China’s “talent” recruitment programs, U.S.-based technology spotting firms, and others associated with China’s United Front and technology acquisition network to declare their status under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. 
5. Compel recipients of U.S. government contracts to report to their compliance offices all professional contacts with or travel to China and other designated nations, ideally in advance.
6. Understand that these temporizing measures are no substitute for national policies aimed at growing America’s science and technology base to avoid a zero-sum struggle.

To read the full op-ed, visit Newsweek.