US to unveil AI national security memo to avoid China’s ‘strategic surprise’ and cut risks
The White House will release a memo to guide US military and intelligence agencies on the national security risks of AI and its responsible use, with the aim of enhancing America’s edge against rivals such as China while minimising associated risks.
The memo will also include a classified section on dealing with threats from adversaries.
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According to a White House fact sheet, the memo designates monitoring US competitors’ actions against the country’s AI sector “a top-tier intelligence priority,” directing government entities to provide AI developers “with the timely cybersecurity and counter-intelligence information necessary to keep their inventions secure”.
The document also calls for steps to enhance the security and diversity of chip supply chains as the US develops the next generation of government supercomputers and other advanced technologies.
During a background briefing for reporters on Wednesday, a senior official stressed that if national security agencies do not adopt AI technologies in “ways that align with our values,” the US will be at “risk of a strategic surprise by our rivals, such as China”.
The official noted that countries such as China are modernising their military and intelligence capabilities through AI, making it “particularly imperative that we accelerate our national security community’s adoption and use of cutting-edge AI capabilities to maintain our competitive edge”.