A Republican lawmaker is sounding the alarm about the latest threat from China – rifle-toting AI robot dogs. A Chinese state media video, screenshots of which were published by the Military Times, showed that country’s military displaying dog-like robots toting rifles during joint drills in Cambodia. These AI dogs, weighing 110 pounds, can autonomously carry and fire automatic rifles, according to the outlet. While drone warfare is not a novel concept, some believe the rise of these new armed automatons should cause concern in the United States.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital that advanced AI is the next major economic and military frontier for both the US and its adversaries like China. Out of 18 amendments he authored and successfully passed in the House draft of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), one specifically addressed this potential game-changing threat. Buchanan’s legislation added a provision that would require the secretary of defense to report on the threat posed by China’s use of AI in the military, including these robot dogs, and their implications for US national security.
“If we don’t pay attention to what other countries around the world are doing on the AI front, we risk losing our standing on the global stage and position as the world’s preeminent fighting force,” Buchanan stated. “Anyone that tells you that China will only be using these for purely peaceful purposes has their head in the sand.” The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, a May report from The Warzone revealed that the Marine Corps’ Special Forces Operation Command (MARSOC) is already using two similar robotic quadrupeds for perimeter security in unspecified locations.
Buchanan emphasized that while the US has experimented with similar robotic dogs in the past, China’s weaponization and public display of these robots during military exercises are alarming. “This should make everyone take notice and ensure our military is staying one step ahead of them at every turn,” he stated. When asked about the likelihood of the Democratic-led Senate removing the provision from its draft for the final legislation, Buchanan expressed confidence that it would remain. He argued that the “common-sense” reporting requirement should be noncontroversial due to its national security implications.
“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about our amendment. The fact that it passed without opposition from a single member of Congress on either side of the aisle should tell you everything you need to know,” he added. While Buchanan drafted the amendment alone, he highlighted that many other lawmakers share his concerns about AI-related threats from China and other adversaries. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and chief-sponsor of the NDAA, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing innovation to stay ahead of China.
“Prioritizing innovation is vital if we want to stay ahead of China,” Rogers said. “The FY25 NDAA continues to make investments in innovative emerging technologies, like AI, to ensure that our military remains the most capable and lethal force in the world.” The Senate is scheduled to begin debate on the NDAA in the near future, following the House’s largely party-line vote of 217-199 to pass its version.
