China-Linked Influence Campaigns Stalled $23.6 Billion in US AI Infrastructure

The head of research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that China-linked influence campaigns have stalled or blocked $23.6 billion in proposed U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Sam Lyman's testimony detailed how foreign adversaries utilize nonprofits and state media to shape American public opinion against data center development. His research tracked 21 campaigns by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) across 14 states, which contributed to 10 data center moratoria, one permanent ban, and four rejected or scrapped projects.

Lyman stated that a 'war for AI supremacy' is raging between the world's two superpowers, with China using state levers including foreign influence operations to compete. He noted that Americans have genuine concerns about the buildout of data centers, but these concerns need to be heard alongside the foreign influence campaign.