If the United States is to keep ahead of a rapidly gaining China in the field of artificial intelligence, it needs a concrete and comprehensive plan for action. Such a plan is presented in the final report, released today, of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, or NSCAI. Critically, this report is about more than AI. It is the opening salvo of a much-needed effort to create an overarching national strategy for technology, a whole-of-government effort to safeguard American technological leadership. Congress created the NSCAI three years ago to determine how the United States could develop AI and machine learning systems to address U.S. national security and defense needs.

The United States and its great power rivals are taking different paths in their pursuit of artificial intelligence (AI), but all three are devoting significant resources to what they believe will be a game changer. Their uses of AI also are likely to be different, as their approach to ethics varies according to each nation's principles. A breakout session panel provided a global view on the race for AI during the third and final day of the AFCEA/INSA Intelligence and National Security Summit being held online September 16-18. Panelists assessed the differences in AI research and applications among Russia, China and the United States. Russia trails China and the United States in all metrics of AI, stated Margarita Konaev, research fellow, Center for Security and Emerging Technology. However, its military is leading the country's efforts to catch up in key areas, most of which involve military applications.

Bottom Line: China's nationwide pursuit to become the world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) is an attempt to not only match U.S. economic power, but to bypass it geo-strategically. While Beijing's involvement is spurred by economic ambitions, it has made it clear that the development of AI will simultaneously be for military applications that could change the character of warfare and place the U.S. at a geopolitical disadvantage. Background: China has quickly spurred its innovation engines into action, seeking to leapfrog U.S. military and technological supremacy through advanced AI and machine learning. Their unique brand of capitalism and government control has enabled bottom-up innovation that is broadly guided by the hand of the Chinese Community Party. China's whole-of-nation approach means the U.S. has found itself in a race against a strategic competitor.

The Artificial Intelligence and Global Security Summit will bring together technology leaders and top policymakers to explore the state of artificial intelligence and discuss the implications of the AI revolution on global security. Past industrial revolutions led to changes in the balance of power between nations and even the fundamental building blocks of power, with coal- and steel-producing nations benefitting and oil becoming a global strategic resource. The AI revolution has similar transformative potential to alter power dynamics, the character of conflict, and strategic stability among nations and private actors. The United States must anticipate these changes and capitalize on opportunities to stay ahead of competitors. To anticipate these challenges, CNAS' all-day summit will explore technology trends, uncertainties, and possible trajectories for how AI may affect global security.

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) today announced a major new project, the Artificial Intelligence and Global Security Initiative. The Initiative will research the effects of the artificial intelligence revolution on the character of conflict, shifting power dynamics, and even fundamental elements of power. "We are at the beginning of a new industrial revolution powered by artificial intelligence," said Paul Scharre, Director of the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, who will lead the Initiative. "AI is already beginning to have applications across a range of industries, and economists predict major disruptions in the labor market and the economy as a whole. AI will similarly have a significant impact on international security. The Artificial Intelligence and Global Security Initiative will explore how AI will change conflict and power, and provide recommendations for policymakers to cope with the changes ahead."