First Principles for Ensuring American AI Leadership

The United States and China are locked in a high-stakes competition for global technological leadership. Central to this contest is artificial intelligence (AI), a domain not merely of public interest but of profound strategic importance. AI holds the potential to redefine national security paradigms, fuel economic engines, and propel the influence of democratic – or authoritarian – principles across the globe, depending on which country wins the tech race.

On the other hand, the European Union (EU), with its rushed enactment of the EU AI Act, and China, with its authoritarian conventions, chart an alternate course that prioritizes control and regulation.

These distinct paths highlight a fundamental question: How can the United States maintain its AI leadership and ensure its dynamic and open approach to AI becomes the prevailing global norm?

AI progress hinges on fostering an innovation-friendly environment. Yet, the influx of AI legislation at the state level, with approximately 50 AI-related bills introduced weekly, combined with federal policymakers’ zeal for regulating emerging technologies, are hurdles for U.S. companies in the race to out-innovate their global rivals. Recommended steps to prevent any significant AI risks without hampering innovation include: streamlining research and development, creating regulatory sandboxes for risk-free experimentation, and boosting AI adoption incentives. Encouraging a broad spectrum of AI models, including open-source ones, can lower research barriers and diminish costs for innovators and small business. Furthermore, it’s imperative for policymakers to “security proof“ AI-centered legislation to safeguard against any unintended consequences foreign adversaries could exploit.

Given the connection between technological innovation and geopolitical power, the quest for AI leadership must prioritize American principles and values. While we do not always get it right, America’s private sector companies, guided by values of openness and security, stand in sharp contrast to rival foreign organizations which are oftentimes state run and act as an extension of their authoritarian governments. The stakes get even higher as AI becomes increasingly integral to critical sectors, such as healthcare, biotechnology, and national security. Already it underpins technology offerings used to streamline repetitive tasks, facilitate clinical trials for life-saving medicines, thwart cyberattacks, and optimize supply chain logistics. Helping private sector companies who prioritize openness scale their operations globally allows policymakers to steer technological development towards a future that aligns with democratic values and human rights.

Empowering the private sector with a dynamic environment akin to the one that fueled the internet’s growth in the 1990s can keep America in the driver’s seat for the next technological wave driven by AI. The rapid pace of AI development will outpace a government’s capacity to regulate, making partnerships between public agencies and private tech companies essential. These collaborations, best exemplified by the U.S. AI Safety Institute (USAISI), combine government goals with private sector innovation and resources. Such partnerships are key to maintaining the U.S.'s competitive edge and standards in AI globally.

Technology’s reach knows no borders, making international cooperation essential. Successful frameworks, such as the Hiroshima AI Process borne out of the G7 Summit in 2023, demonstrate the power of collective action in promoting responsible AI development and usage. Such multilateral efforts should serve as a model for future endeavors, ensuring that AI serves collective prosperity and security. One important avenue for this work is through export controls. Export controls are vital, but, if overly restrictive, could hinder Western companies from partnering globally and accessing international talent and markets. Conversely, a risk-based regulatory approach for sensitive areas, namely national security or healthcare would help ensure AI global governance strikes a balance between risk management and technology breakthroughs. 

The urgency for the United States and its allies to embed these principles into their policy frameworks is critical. This is not just about staying ahead in the race; it is about defining the future of AI in terms of security, prosperity, and democratic values in the face of competition from countries, particularly China. The decisions we make now will determine what values underpin the next several decades in technology and geopolitical leadership.

General Joseph F. Dunford Jr. is the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Frances F. Townsend is former White House counterterrorism and homeland security adviser. Michael J. Morell is former deputy director and acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). All serve as AEP national security advisory board members.