The Final Report
The mandate of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) is to make recommendations to the President and Congress to “advance the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and associated technologies to comprehensively address the national security and defense needs of the United States.”
This Final Report presents the NSCAI's strategy for winning the artificial intelligence era. The 16 chapters in the Main Report provide topline conclusions and recommendations. The accompanying Blueprints for Action outline more detailed steps that the U.S. Government should take to implement the recommendations.
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies promise to be the most powerful tools in generations for expanding knowledge, increasing prosperity, and enriching the human experience. The technologies will be the foundation of the innovation economy and a source of enormous power for countries that harness them. AI will fuel competition between governments and companies racing to field it. And it will be employed by nation states to pursue their strategic ambitions.
Part 1: Defending America in the AI Era
Chapter 1
Emerging Threats in the AI Era
The U.S. government is not prepared to defend the United States in the coming AI era. AI applications are transforming existing threats, creating new classes of threats, and further emboldening state and non-state adversaries to exploit vulnerabilities in our open society.
Chapter 4
Autonomous Weapon Systems and Risks Associated with AI-Enabled Warfare
While AI-enabled and autonomous weapon systems have the potential to provide substantial military and even humanitarian benefit, the United States must take steps, including with allies and competitors, to mitigate strategic risks posed by AI-enabled and autonomous weapon systems.
Part 2: Winning the Technology Competition
Chapter 9
A Strategy for Competition and Cooperation
AI and other emerging technologies are driving the broader U.S.-China competition. The Commission urges the creation of a new White House body to develop a strategy for U.S. technological competitiveness and to identify areas for international cooperation.
Chapter 11
Accelerating AI Innovation
To remain the world’s leader in AI, the U.S. government must renew its commitment to investing in America’s national strength—innovation. This will require making substantial new investments in AI R&D and establishing a national AI research infrastructure that democratizes access to the resources that fuel AI.
Chapter 12
Intellectual Property
China is both leveraging and exploiting intellectual property (IP) policies as a critical tool within its national strategies for emerging technologies. America’s IP laws and institutions must be considered as critical components for safeguarding U.S. national security interests, including advancing economic prosperity and technology competitiveness.
