Tucked away in the 4,517-page annual defense bill awaiting signature is an overlooked piece of legislation on artificial intelligence (AI). It doesn't make every military weapon system autonomous or require brigades of robotic infantry. Instead, it's a sensible, 63-page plan establishing a civilian-led initiative to coordinate and accelerate investments in "trustworthy" artificial intelligence systems across the federal government. In passing this legislation, the United States Congress has demonstrated that it collectively realizes that AI will be transformative, and that urgent research and development is needed to ensure the United States remains the world leader in AI. Make no mistake, the "National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020," also dubbed as "Division E" of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is the closest thing to a national strategy on AI from the United States to be formally endorsed by Congress.