The latest White House memo on AI highlights the importance of infrastructure investments to ensure US national security.
The White House memo highlights the importance of a security framework for AI in national security agencies. However, experts believe that without massive investment in basic infrastructure – such as cloud storage and computing power – the US risks falling behind strategic competitors like China. The memo also calls for safeguards to strengthen trust in AI, aligning its uses with democratic values. Coordinated action between industry, government and academia is crucial to ensure American innovation and competitiveness in this critical field.
Towards a national security framework for AI
The White House memo, issued under the Biden administration, proposes a guiding framework for the secure integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into national security missions. This groundbreaking document aims to ensure that the use of AI in federal agencies respects democratic values and laws, particularly in the areas of civil rights, human rights and security. The framework is intended as a first step towards responsible AI management, to minimize the risks of fraud, discrimination and misinformation.
The President emphasizes the need for cross-sector cooperation between government, technology companies and universities to ensure the competitiveness of American AI. This bipartisan approach already enjoys congressional support, which could facilitate the funding and development of the necessary infrastructure.
The crucial importance of basic infrastructure
According to Alex Miller, CTO of the Army, a lack of access to infrastructure such as cloud storage and computing power is slowing down the adoption of AI within the Department of Defense. These technologies are fundamental to applying AI on a large scale, especially in sensitive areas such as national defense. The infrastructure requirements are colossal, with costs estimated in the billions of dollars to guarantee the ability to analyze and respond rapidly to threats.
Anduril’s Matt Steckman stresses the importance of a coordinated national response, arguing that sustained investment is needed to overtake competitors like China, which is investing heavily in military AI. Steckman calls for immediate mobilization so that the US can maintain its technological lead.
Building trust in AI applications
The White House also highlights the need to build trust in AI within security agencies. To this end, the memo recommends safeguards and the establishment of standards to verify the safety and effectiveness of AI systems. This trust framework aims to ensure that AI technologies comply with fairness, consumer protection and privacy laws.
Talent needs analysis and dedicated training for AI professionals are also priorities. AI safety and ethics, through regulated management and continuous monitoring, are deemed essential for AI to serve responsibly and productively in national security.
Strengthening the U.S. AI supply chain
The memo proposes that the Director of National Intelligence work with DOD and other agencies to identify critical points in the AI supply chain. These points include the materials, software, components and technologies required for AI development. Regular monitoring and risk mitigation plans to secure this strategic supply chain are deemed essential to protect U.S. interests.
To ensure sustainable competitiveness, defense and intelligence agencies will need to establish task forces dedicated to assessing AI security, accelerating acquisition and promoting a robust AI industry sector.
The challenges and economic stakes of competitive AI
The ambition to develop AI in national security missions requires significant budgetary mobilization. By way of example, experts estimate that setting up a nationwide AI infrastructure could represent an annual cost of several tens of billions of euros to maintain a level of global competitiveness in the face of similar efforts by China and the European Union.
The funding of this basic infrastructure, combined with the training of talent and the development of safety standards, could ensure a technological leadership position for the United States. The White House is counting on a bipartisan coalition to drive these investments forward, hoping to avoid weaknesses that could be exploited by international competitors.
Strategic investments for the future of American security
The White House memo on AI marks an important milestone in the race for national security technologies. By calling for massive, coordinated investment in AI infrastructure and skills, the US government is emphasizing the importance of strict precautions to ensure the ethical use of AI, aligned with democratic values.
The successful implementation of this AI program could offer the United States a decisive technological breakthrough in the defense field, strengthening its ability to meet the security challenges of the 21st century.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.