Senators leave classified AI briefing confident but wary of 'existential' threat posed by China

Fox News contributor Dr. Marc Siegel weighs in on how artificial intelligence can change the patient-doctor relationship on'America's Newsroom.' Senators left a classified briefing on artificial intelligence Tuesday with a deeper understanding of how AI is already being used to bolster U.S. national security and the looming threat China poses as it deploys its own AI capabilities. "I think, from a military perspective, it's very existential because China's playing for keeps," Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital after the closed-door session. So, it's moving quickly, but I think the best we can do right now is get a firm understanding." Tuesday afternoon's briefing was the first-ever classified meeting with senators and key Pentagon officials about AI. Discussion included how the U.S. is using AI to maintain its national security edge and how adversaries like China are using this emerging tool. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters what he learned was "eye-opening." It comes after he told senators in a letter over the weekend that Congress is moving full steam ahead on his AI regulatory framework, which Schumer said Tuesday could take months to develop. HOW AI HAS SHAPED A VITAL NATO ALLY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters after a classified Senate briefing on artificial intelligence at the U.S. Capitol July 11, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) "This briefing shows just depth, complexity, but necessity of getting something real done.