April 06, 2018

Artificial Intelligence and National Security

Partially autonomous and intelligent systems have been used in military

technology since at least the Second World War, but advances in machine
learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) represent a turning point in the
use of automation in warfare. Though the United States military and
intelligence communities are planning for expanded use of AI across their
portfolios, many of the most transformative applications of AI have not yet
been addressed.
In this piece, we propose three goals for developing future policy on AI
and national security: preserving U.S. technological leadership, supporting
peaceful and commercial use, and mitigating catastrophic risk. By looking
at four prior cases of transformative military technology—nuclear,
aerospace, cyber, and biotech—we develop lessons learned and recommendations
for national security policy toward AI.

Read the full article at the Belfer Center

Commentary

Technology & National Security
Closing the Remote Access Loop
This article was originally published in Issues in Science and Technology. As Asad Ramzanali argues in “Why the Cloud Needs Competition” (Issues, Winter 2026), cloud computing...

By Michelle Nie
- Issues in Science and Technology
- June 23, 2026
Commentary

Technology & National Security
Losing the War of the Future
This article was originally published in Foreign Affairs. In its recent campaign against Iran, the United States dominated the skies using its traditional airpower. The U.S. m...

By Paul Scharre
- Foreign Affairs
- June 23, 2026
Podcast

Technology & National Security
We Need AI Treaties. This Is How We Get Them
In this episode, Tristan sits down with two experts in this field to discuss the kinds of verification technology we need for AI, the challenges of building it, and the world ...

By Janet Egan & Tim Fist
- June 18, 2026
Reports

Technology & National Security
Red Lines
Chinese advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems pose a serious and growing threat to U.S. national security. At least seven Chinese developers now produce systems with f...

By Daniel Remler
- June 12, 2026