Bessent Says Losing AI Lead to China Would Endanger U.S. Security

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the United States would face severe security consequences if China pulled ahead in artificial intelligence, arguing that even a $1.5 trillion defense budget and systems such as the Iron Dome would no longer be enough. His warning came as Washington pushed to expand AI infrastructure at home while confronting evidence that Chinese models are narrowing the performance and cost gap.