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Unmanned commercial drones carrying air bombs in a battlefield. Late last month, the Biden administration’s first-ever National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence revealed something significant: The government has tacitly accepted that AI development is not only essential to U.S.
national security, it is unstoppable. Rather than entertaining calls for an AI “ pause ” or development slowdown, the memo focuses on how to support and secure America’s AI infrastructure. Perhaps most telling is what the memo says about meeting AI’s massive energy requirements.
Advanced AI models require tremendous computational power , translating into substantial energy consumption. Instead of viewing this as a reason to limit AI development, the administration is quietly planning for it, proposing to expand renewable energy sources to support AI data centers. An AI Datacenter Infrastructure Task Force has even been created to specifically streamline permitting processes for new data centers, with an emphasis on renewable energy integration.
This is not the approach of an administration that believes AI development can or should be halted. Rather, it’s the pragmatic recognition that AI advancement will continue, and America’s role should be to shape and secure its development rather than attempt to stop it. The memo also addresses AI’s dual-use nature—its potential for both beneficial and harmful applications in the military and civilian realms.
It focuses on practical measures like cybersecurity testing for AI models and strengthening U.S. semiconductor production.
Supply chain security receives significant attention in the memo, with the Departments of Commerce, Defense and other federal agencies tasked with identifying and addressing vulnerabilities. This action builds on laws like the CHIPS Act of 2022 , which aimed to promote domestic semiconductor production. FBI Warns Gmail, Outlook, AOL, Yahoo Users—Hackers Gain Access To Accounts Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers For Saturday, November 2 WWE SmackDown Results, Winners And Grades On November 1, 2024 The memo also acknowledges AI’s benefits to national security, particularly in intelligence gathering and military applications.
This recognition of AI’s crucial role in defense further cements its status as a technology that will continue to advance, regardless of calls for caution or delay. Taken together, the Biden administration is sending a clear message: AI development is a fact of life, and America’s priority should be maintaining leadership in this field while managing the risks. This stands in stark contrast to those calling for development freezes or lengthy moratoria on advanced AI research.
Yet challenges remain. While the memorandum sets out a pragmatic framework for managing AI’s growth, translating these policies into effective action will require sustained commitment and resources. The greatest threat to U.
S. security interests isn’t that AI technology will advance—that's inevitable. The real danger lies in failing to prepare for and adapt to the transformation AI will bring, particularly if America falls behind other nations or malicious actors in AI capabilities and infrastructure.
The memo’s focus on building infrastructure rather than restricting development represents a mature approach to AI governance. Instead of futile attempts to halt progress, the administration is focusing on shaping AI’s future to ensure it aligns with American interests and values. This signals a modest yet significant shift in the conversation around AI.
Rather than debating whether AI should advance, the focus has moved to how to advance it responsibly and securely. For those concerned about AI’s rapid progress, the AI National Security Memorandum makes clear that AI development will continue, and our energy is better spent ensuring it proceeds safely rather than trying to stop it altogether..
