United States' Stake in the Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Competition Highlighted by National Security
Taking a Stand: Biden's AI-focused National Security Memorandum
Kickin' it old school: On October 24, 2024, President Joe Biden preemptively dropped a National Security Memorandum on AI, not to be outdone by his predecessor's 2023 executive order. This moves comes as part of the administration's ongoing efforts to maintain its edge in the intense global AI race.
The lowdown: The new memorandum sets out three key objectives, each divided into actionable steps. These objectives range from securing American dominance in trustworthy AI technology, safeguarding AI from foreign threats, and forging international alliances in AI development.
America's AI future: The document recognizes the disastrous consequences of falling behind in the AI race for national security. To counter this threat, the U.S. is taking measures to attract top AI talent, invest in computational resources, and streamline AI ecosystem analysis.
Beware the false flag: Unfortunately, the real peril to U.S. AI dominance doesn't stem from foreign enemies, but rather from overzealous U.S. regulators. Potential antitrust actions aimed at major U.S. tech companies and AI chipmakers could actually boost strategic competitors, like China.
AI for national security: The memo's second objective calls for harnessing AI for national defense purposes. Steps include streamlining AI talent recruitment and procurement processes, developing governance frameworks, and fostering international partnerships.
Join forces: To keep the U.S. and its partners ahead of the game, the administration plans to engage more allies in a Unified AI Coalition. This collaboration could have allies co-developing AI technologies, identifying potential partners and forums for collaboration, and creating joint development and testing strategies.
Plus ça change: Lastly, the memo briefly touches upon international AI governance, emphasizing the promotion of democratic values and human rights. However, this aspect of the document feels half-baked given current global politics. Key allies, such as the EU, are already enforcing stricter AI regulations, while competitors like China remain unimpressed by American proclamations.
Upholding the Standard: As the dust settles from the 2024 midterm elections, the incoming administration and Congress should keep top of mind the importance of U.S. success in AI for national security. Continued dialogue with the National Security Council on the issue will be essential to shielding the U.S. from slipping behind in the AI race.
Image Credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Mixed Messages: Recent national security memoranda and executive orders have aimed to boost AI for national security, but key actions also address digital security and quantum computing[1]. Nonetheless, the administration's efforts demonstrate a commitment to staying ahead in the global AI race.
Enrichment Data:
- Overall: President Biden's actions on AI-focused national security include a variety of executive orders and memoranda since 2023, such as amendments to E.O. 14144 and E.O. 14110. These documents contain specific actions and directives like integrating AI in cyber defense, making cyber research data accessible to researchers, modernizing government IT and policies, and strengthening defenses against foreign adversaries[2][3][4].
- AI in Cyber Defense: The updated orders highlight the potential of AI to rapidly transform cyber defense by identifying vulnerabilities, scaling up threat detection, and automating cyber defense. Federal agencies are tasked with incorporating management of AI software vulnerabilities into their processes and interagency coordination mechanisms[2][4].
- Access to Cyber Research Data: The Commerce Department, with support from NIST, DHS, the Energy Department, and the National Science Foundation, must ensure existing datasets for cyber defense research are made accessible to academia by November 1 of each year, while taking data privacy and national security concerns into account[4].
- IT Modernization and Policy Alignment: Agencies are directed to align investments and priorities to improve network visibility, modernize their IT infrastructure, and adapt policies to technological advancements[4].
- Focus on Foreign Adversaries: The revised policies reinforce the need to harden American defenses against adversarial states like Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China. The administration's proactive stance in defending U.S. networks and infrastructure from foreign exploitation is critical for maintaining technological leadership[5].
- Promoting Open Research and Data Sharing: By requiring agencies to make defense research datasets accessible, the administration aims to foster an environment conducive to accelerating AI-driven security innovation and maintaining a robust research ecosystem, essential for staying ahead in AI[4].
- Modernizing Government IT and Policies: By directing agencies to update their technology and align investments with modern security practices, the administration hopes to ensure federal capabilities remain competitive[4].
- Strengthening Defenses Against Foreign Threats: By expanding the list of cyber threats, the administration signals its intention to remain vigilant against adversaries[5].
- The new National Security Memorandum on AI, issued by President Biden, highlights the importance of harnessing innovation in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and technology for national defense purposes, including streamlining AI talent recruitment and procurement processes, developing governance frameworks, and fostering international partnerships.
- The memorandum's focus on AI for national security also emphasizes the need to attract top AI talent, invest in computational resources, and streamline AI ecosystem analysis, in order to maintain America's edge in the intense global AI race.
- However, potential regulation, particularly antitrust actions aimed at major U.S. tech companies and AI chipmakers, could inadvertently boost strategic competitors, such as China, and pose a more significant threat to U.S. AI dominance than foreign enemies.
- To ensure long-term success in AI for national security and maintain a lead in the global race, the administration plans to collaborate with partners in a Unified AI Coalition, aiming to co-develop AI technologies, identify potential partners and forums for collaboration, and create joint development and testing strategies.
