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Senators link spectrum, quantum and national security to AI network strategy
Summary
Senators across the committee framed AI‑ready networks as a national security priority: they discussed spectrum allocations, quantum networking prospects, and international coordination for AI governance while urging staffing and policy tools for defense.
Senator Cruz opened a round of questioning by framing network buildout as central to competition with China: "We are in a strategic competition with China to lead the world on AI, and winning that race requires massive capital investment to build the networks that will power tomorrow's AI applications." (Senator Cruz)
Other senators pressed witnesses on spectrum pipelines (including newly available 800 megahertz and the FCC's 6 GHz unlicensed band) and on quantum networking. Senator Young asked whether quantum networking should be part of immediate infrastructure planning; witnesses said fiber is foundational for quantum and urged starting the work now so the United States can scale quantum capabilities alongside AI investments.
Senator Cantwell raised national security and biological‑safety concerns tied to advanced AI capabilities, noting recent model incidents and urging international cooperation and stronger federal policy. Panelists recommended using national labs and government experts for predeployment testing and cautioned against purely voluntary self‑certification for high‑risk models.
