Microsoft's $1.5B Investment In UAE AI Firm With China Ties Raises Eyebrows Among Republican Lawmakers: 'Deeply Concerned By Attempts To Move Quickly'
Microsoft's $1.5B Investment In UAE AI Firm With China Ties Raises Eyebrows Among Republican Lawmakers: 'Deeply Concerned By Attempts To Move Quickly'
$Microsoft (MSFT.US)$ $1.5 billion investment in UAE-based AI firm G42 has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers over the company's historical ties to China.
$微软 (MSFT.US)$总额15亿美元的对阿联酋人工智能公司G42的投资，因公司与中国历史渊源引起了共和党议员的批评。
What Happened: Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), leader of the Select Committee on China, have called for an intelligence assessment of the deal from the Joe Biden administration, reported Reuters.
发生了什么：据路透社报道，众议院外交委员会主席迈克尔·麦考尔（R-得克萨斯州）和中国特别委员会领袖约翰·穆莱纳尔（R-密歇根州）已要求乔·拜登政府进行有关该协议的情报评估。
In a letter dated Wednesday, Republicans have requested a briefing before the deal enters its second phase, which involves the transfer of export-restricted semiconductor chips and model weights.
来自共和党人的一封信，该信日期为星期三，请求在协议进入第二阶段之前进行简报，该阶段涉及出口受限半导体芯片和模型权重的转移。
"We remain deeply concerned by attempts to move quickly to advance a partnership that involves the unprecedented transfer of highly sensitive, U.S.-origin technology, without congressional consultation or clearly defined regulations in place," the lawmakers said in the letter.
这些议员在信中表示：“我们仍然深感担忧，试图迅速推进一个涉及高度敏感的美国本土技术从而牵扯到前所未有的潜在安全风险的伙伴关系，而没有经过国会咨询或清晰的规定。”
They have also asked for a U.S. assessment of G42's ties to China's Communist Party, military, and government before the Microsoft deal advances further.
在微软交易进展之前，他们还要求对G42与中国共产党、军方和政府的关系进行美国评估。
Microsoft has responded by stating that it is working closely with the U.S. government and that "U.S. national security will continue to be a principal priority."
微软回应称，正在与美国政府密切合作，“美国国家安全将继续是首要任务”。
The Chinese Embassy said, "The U.S. has repeatedly undermined cooperation between Chinese companies and other countries on trumped-up security grounds."
中国驻美国大使馆表示：“美国一再以莫须有的安全理由破坏中国企业与其他国家合作。”
Why It Matters: The U.S. has been increasingly concerned about China's influence in the Middle East and the United Arab Emirates. G42 announced in February that it had divested its investments in China and agreed to the restrictions imposed by the U.S. to collaborate with the country's companies.
为什么这很重要：美国越来越担心中国在中东和阿联酋的影响力。G42在今年2月宣布已经剥离了对中国的投资，并同意遵守美国对该国公司的限制以便与该国合作。
This development comes in the wake of Microsoft's recent moves in China. Earlier in May, the tech giant urged its China-based AI team to relocate amid escalating tech tensions between Beijing and Washington.
这一事件发生在微软最近在中国的举措之后。今年5月，这家技术巨头敦促其驻华人工智能团队迁移，此时中美之间的技术紧张气氛可能升级。
This month, Microsoft has also reportedly asked its staff in China to switch from Android phones to iPhones at work, as part of its global Secure Future Initiative.
据说，本月，微软还要求其在中国的员工在工作时从安卓手机切换到iPhone手机，作为其全球安全未来计划的一部分。
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
免责声明：本内容部分使用Benzinga Neuro制作，并由Benzinga编辑审核和发布。