Bill prioritizing American customers for AI chips not expected to make it into final NDAA, sources say

With the defense authorization bill being finalized this week, the chips-centric GAIN AI Act lost steam, according to sources familiar with the proceedings, but an amendment prohibiting U.S. investment in Chinese technology is expected to be included.

The Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act is not expected to be included in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act as an amendment, two sources familiar with the proceedings confirmed to Nextgov/FCW, but a separate bill focused on restricting U.S. investment in Chinese technology is slated to make it in.

The GAIN AI Act has been hotly contested in Washington. Its primary mission is to ensure that American customers have access to advanced computing chips before foreign buyers to ensure the U.S. maintains a competitive advantage in the global AI race. 

As an amendment to the NDAA, the GAIN AI Act made it through the Senate ...