The United States aims to achieve global dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) under a new plan released by the White House. Announced on Wednesday, this initiative seeks to accelerate military adoption of AI, fast-track permits for data centers, support open-source models, and implement other measures.
Military and technical experts have expressed support for the plan, while others raised concerns about potential risks to civil liberties. Notably, the plan may withhold federal funding from states that impose restrictions on AI development or deployment, which has garnered significant criticism.
The strategy emphasizes the necessity for the U.S. Armed Forces to aggressively adopt AI to maintain military superiority. It directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a real, autonomous AI-enabled “virtual proving ground” to test AI and autonomy solutions in various scenarios. While AI has already been incorporated into military exercises, the DoD lacks a continuous virtual proving environment at this time.
In times of crisis, the plan grants the Defense Department priority access to commercial cloud computing resources. This is intended to ensure that the DoD is fully prepared to leverage AI technologies during national emergencies or conflicts.
Training initiatives are a significant focus of the plan, which calls for “talent development programs” within the DoD to meet workforce requirements and facilitate the effective use of AI. The Center for Security and Emerging Technology’s Mina Narayanan emphasized that these initiatives could enhance the job-readiness of veterans in AI sectors.
Moreover, the plan proposes the creation of AI innovation and research hubs within senior military colleges to develop AI-specific curricula. On a global scale, the plan also aims to address concerns about China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology and AI hardware by imposing tracking requirements for advanced chips and advocating for U.S. leadership in international standards-setting bodies.
Despite the focus on global leadership, some experts view the plan critically. They argue it may threaten civil liberties, privacy, and even national security. The provisions for reducing regulations that could impede AI development are particularly contentious. The plan builds on President Trump’s earlier executive order that rescinded Biden-era AI safety regulations, pushing states to eliminate their own restrictions or face losing federal funding. This has incited opposition from more than 40 state attorneys general and 17 Republican governors.
Experts like Sarah Myers West from the AI Now Institute have described the action plan as potentially a “workaround” to circumvent failed congressional measures that would have protected state regulations on AI. Concerns have also been raised about the impact of facial recognition technology on civil liberties and the risks it presents if data gets compromised, particularly given China’s dominance in global surveillance technologies.
While the plan attempts to ensure security against potential threats from foreign adversaries, experts caution that inadequate safeguards during implementation could leave vulnerabilities. There is concern that the plan could inadvertently reinforce the market power of large AI corporations, inhibiting competition and innovation in the long term.
Overall, while the White House’s AI plan aims for significant advancements and advantages for the U.S., it is accompanied by complex challenges and criticisms, particularly regarding its implications for civil rights and market dynamics in the tech industry.
