AI Security Is Key to U.S. Dominance in the AI Arms Race

As Donald Trump takes office, the United States finds itself at a critical juncture in its pursuit of artificial intelligence (AI) dominance. With the rise of new AI models like DeepSeek and increasing security threats, the stakes have never been higher. The question on everyone's mind is: will the U.S. lead the world in these advancements?

A Growing Threat Landscape

The answer lies not only in developing cutting-edge AI technology but also in ensuring the security of its applications and systems. As businesses and critical infrastructure systems integrate AI, new vulnerabilities emerge. The threat landscape has never been more complex, with countries like China actively working to hack their adversaries' AI systems.

One recent example is the attempted exfiltration of information from OpenAI by Chinese-based threat actors. This incident highlights the growing importance of AI security and the need for robust protection measures. As the U.S. pursues its lead in AI innovation, it must prioritize two forms of AI security: addressing the security threats posed by AI itself and securing America's dominance in the AI domain.

The Need for Balanced Protections

The first form of AI security involves ensuring that users are protected from the risks associated with AI applications. This can be achieved by removing barriers to entry for AI, allowing companies to freely distribute their systems while making testing and security reports freely available. In practical terms, this means putting in place accessible safety ratings for smartphone operating systems, which will have the most dramatic impact on AI safety and security.

The Rise of AI Agents

The rise of AI agents represents a new vulnerability for U.S. businesses and national infrastructure. These agents can gain access to sensitive information and run mission-critical tasks, making them a prime target for hackers. As countries like China push the boundaries of AI innovation, they are also working to develop advanced autonomous agents that can hack corporate or national defenses.

To win on AI, our security must be as good – or better – than our enemies' hacking innovations. Securing physical infrastructure and resources required for innovation is essential to maintaining America's position as the global leader in AI.

The Importance of Infrastructure

The cost and performance of new AI models like DeepSeek have upped the stakes, but the bigger picture is about infrastructure and implementation. This means reinvigorating our chip manufacturers, investing in high-performance computing, and making long-term investments in energy infrastructure.

Running AI systems requires huge amounts of power, with estimates suggesting that data breaches could upset and alienate people, setting back AI progress. A recent example is the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has sensitive personal and health information on 18 million veterans and their families.

A New Approach to AI Security

To address these challenges, a new approach to AI security is needed – one that balances appropriate safeguards with speed of action. This can be achieved by establishing a Department of AI Acceleration, which will allow the U.S. to rip through red tape and allocate funding for responsible AI development.

Sticking with President Trump's knack for naming things, perhaps 'AI Force' is appropriate? No matter its title, a dedicated agency that allocates funding to those developing AI in responsible ways will achieve better results than time-consuming regulation and legislation.

Assembling the Greatest Minds

Quickly establishing this landmark new department, backed by targeted investment in research and infrastructure and an agreed approach to AI security, will make America the global authority on safe AI – not just leading the way but lighting a path forward for the rest of the world. The opportunity is ours for the taking.

Conclusion

The future of AI security hangs in the balance as the United States pursues its lead in this field. By prioritizing two forms of AI security, addressing vulnerabilities and securing America's dominance, we can ensure a bright future for innovation and progress – one that benefits everyone.