Rep. Ro Khanna Calls for Global AI Safeguards
Rep. Ro Khanna, a leading Democrat on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, used his appearance on "Face the Nation" to push for international AI safeguards and to address the detention of U.S. citizens in China. He called for a new federal AI agency and urged China to agree to limit…
By Felo News Desk · Published
On September 20, 2026, Rep. Ro Khanna appeared on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" to discuss the growing tension between the United States and China over artificial intelligence. As the top Democrat on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Khanna highlighted the urgent need for global cooperation on AI safety and raised concerns about the treatment of American citizens in China.
AI Arms Race and the Call for Cooperation
Khanna began by describing the current AI landscape as an "arms race" between the U.S. and China. He noted that his recent letters to Chinese tech giants such as DeepSeek and Alibaba urged them to adopt safety measures similar to those used by American firms like OpenAI and Anthropic. The representative emphasized that the lack of response from these companies underscores the difficulty of regulating AI without international collaboration.
"Winning an AI war is like winning a nuclear war," Khanna said. "It is catastrophic for civilization." He warned that AI poses two primary dangers: loss of control and misuse. He argued that Chinese firms, which are copying American models through a process he called "distillation," have not taken steps to mitigate either risk.
Proposed International Agreement and Verification
Khanna outlined a framework for an international agreement that would mirror traditional arms‑control treaties. He called for two core principles: a ban on recursive self‑improving AI and safeguards against the use of AI in biological or nuclear weapons development. The representative stressed the need for enforceable monitoring, including checks at data centers to distinguish between inference and training activities.
"We need an international agreement with Xi Jinping that includes verification mechanisms," Khanna said. "Just like Reagan said, you need trust and verify. The world has done this before, and we can do it with AI."
Domestic AI Governance and the Need for a New Agency
While discussing the U.S. response, Khanna criticized the lack of a dedicated federal body to oversee AI. He compared the proposed agency to the FDA, arguing that independent technical experts should regulate AI just as they do for nuclear energy, aviation, and electricity. The representative expressed concern over President Trump’s plan to create an "AI czar" and an "AI Force" under Cyber Command, stating that existing structures are insufficient for the complex challenges posed by AI.
Khanna also highlighted the potential for AI to be used in offensive military operations. He cited the incident involving the Iranian school shooting, where AI was allegedly used to plan or execute the attack, as a stark reminder of the need for stringent oversight.
Human Rights Concerns and American Detentions in China
Switching to a more personal topic, Khanna addressed the detention of American scholars in China. He referenced the case of Min Zin, a U.S. citizen held by the Ministry of State Security for 100 days without access to legal counsel. The representative expressed solidarity with Secretary Rubio, who has designated two Americans as wrongfully detained.
Khanna described the situation as "appalling," noting that U.S. citizens and scholars should not be detained for expressing dissent or engaging in academic work. He recalled his own visit to China a year earlier, where he raised concerns about Chinese students in the U.S. facing restrictions due to social media posts or protests.
In addition to individual detentions, Khanna referenced a recent hearing on the Uyghur situation, emphasizing that extraordinary human rights abuses must remain a priority in U.S.-China discussions.
Looking Ahead: The Trump‑Xi Summit and Future Actions
Khanna concluded by stressing that the next week‑long summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping should prioritize AI safety agreements. He urged the U.S. to present a clear agenda that includes the two core principles he outlined earlier. The representative also called for continued congressional oversight and the establishment of a dedicated AI agency to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of ethical AI development.
As the conversation closed, Khanna reiterated his commitment to protecting American citizens abroad and to fostering a global framework that balances technological innovation with societal safeguards.
Key facts
- U.S. and China are in an AI arms race; Rep. Khanna urges international cooperation
- Proposes ban on self‑improving AI and safeguards against weaponization
- Calls for a new federal AI agency similar to the FDA
- Highlights detention of American scholars in China and calls for protection
- Emphasizes upcoming Trump‑Xi summit as a chance to set AI safety agenda
Why it matters
The discussion underscores the escalating global race in AI development and highlights the need for international standards to prevent catastrophic misuse. It also brings attention to ongoing human rights concerns involving U.S. citizens in China.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main risk of AI according to Rep. Khanna?
He says the main risks are loss of control and misuse, especially if AI can self‑improve.
Why does Khanna want a new federal AI agency?
He believes existing agencies like Cyber Command are insufficient and that independent experts are needed to regulate AI safely.
What happened to the American scholar Min Zin?
He was detained by China’s Ministry of State Security for 100 days without access to a lawyer and charged with endangering national security.
What are the two core principles of the proposed AI agreement?
A ban on recursive self‑improving AI and safeguards to prevent AI use in biological or nuclear weapons.
Sources
- [1] cbsnews.com — originally reported as “Transcript: Rep. Ro Khanna on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Sept. 20, 2026”
