Intel officials warn AI firm may give Americans' genetic data to China, citing ties to foreign companies: Report

An artificial intelligence firm may give millions of Americans' genetic data to the Chinese government, two intel officials warned, according to a Monday report from the New York Times.

G42, a technology company based in Abu Dhabi, claims that AI is a "powerful force for good" that will be a "complement and enhancer to humanity," according to its website. It states that the firm offers cloud computing, data centers, and AI research.

The company, headed by CEO Peng Xiao, has worked with AstraZeneca, OpenAI, Dell Technologies, and Huawei. G42 also purchased $100 million of shares in ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok.

In June, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates warned the White House that G42 appeared to be hiding the extent of its work with China, the Times reported. At the time, the Biden administration pushed for the AI firm to cut ties with the Chinese companies and even reportedly weighed issuing sanctions against G42, the outlet stated.

The CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed concerns about the tech firm's partnerships with Chinese companies.

Officials sounded the alarm that G42 may be providing the foreign companies or the Chinese government with millions of Americans' genetic data, according to intelligence reports, two officials told the Times.

According to the intel officials, the CIA compiled a classified profile on Xiao, but the document's conclusions are unclear. The Times noted that it is also unclear whether U.S. officials have shared their concerns regarding the AI firm with the American companies that have partnered with it.

The outlet reported that G42 is at the center of the AI arms race between the United States and China.

The CIA has flagged some concerns regarding the firm, such as G42's "stack," or technology infrastructure, being built with assistance from Chinese-based companies.

Kathleen Waters, a deputy spokeswoman for the National Security Council, told the Times that the Emirates is an "important partner." Waters further noted that U.S. officials have communicated with Emirates and others regarding their "strong concerns about the [People's Republic of China] seeking military and intelligence advantages through the acquisition of sensitive U.S. technologies and data, which the Biden administration is determined to protect."

"This will continue to be a focus of intensive engagement with the U.A.E. and many other countries, and we welcome progress to date," Waters said.

In a statement to the Times, Talal Al Kaissi, a G42 senior executive, said the company has partnered "with various international technology players from around the world." He stated that the firm began talks with Microsoft last year to replace its stack.

Al Kaissi said that G42 "remain[s] in full compliance" with U.S. government regulations and that it is "partnering with leading companies and institutions with shared values and developing responsible A.I. solutions."

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