Advancing America’s global leadership in artificial intelligence through digital diplomacy and strategic collaboration.

As artificial intelligence changes the global landscape, America must seize the moment to lead the development and adoption of AI around the world. By doing so, we can strengthen our alliances, ensure our leadership in the technologies that will drive the 21st century, and protect our national interests.

To achieve this, we must use digital diplomacy, strengthen partnerships with the private sector, and deepen cooperation with our allies—all while countering the growing threats from China and Russia, which are working tirelessly to outpace us in artificial intelligence and other critical technologies.

The US government has recognized the need to collaborate with allied governments and the private sector to ensure principled development of AI systems and to achieve consensus on AI governance. Most recently, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken launched the Partnership for Global AI Inclusion with eight leading AI companies. The partnership recognizes the link between achieving global development goals and increasing access to artificial intelligence models.

It also builds on previous initiatives led by the United States, such as the UNGA resolution on AI development and the G7 Hiroshima AI Process. This policy reflects an understanding that as digital technologies democratize around the world, the U.S. approach to AI can act as a force multiplier for the development of mission-critical and emerging technologies that reflect our values.

But this important achievement will only become a reality if we become leading innovators in these technologies, especially in the diversity of AI models. For example, open-source AI plays a key role in driving innovation and collaboration across sectors, helping to accelerate progress in AI-powered cybersecurity and defense systems, which is critical as adversaries like China and Russia continue to attack U.S. infrastructure. Incorporating both proprietary and open source AI models into defense strategies provides a robust and dynamic approach to national security.

U.S. partnerships with the private sector are also critical to our national security as adversaries flout the rules-based international order and increasingly use cyber capabilities to threaten U.S. infrastructure and economic activity.

To make the best use of private sector opportunities, the U.S. government should partner with our most innovative companies while avoiding over-regulation that stifles innovation. At the same time, more American technology companies, home to some of the world’s greatest minds, must take an active role in advancing national security.

Their innovation is critical to protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining our technological advantage. This mutual partnership between government and the private sector will strengthen innovation and national security, allowing the United States to confront global threats with unparalleled capabilities.

Maintaining our technological advantage is recognized by both politicians and the public. In fact, voters in democracies are clear that investing in technology is necessary both to advance our shared values ​​and to defend against international threats.

Voters in Western countries agree that foreign adversaries can undermine their economic security, with 78 percent of U.S. voters and 76 percent of European voters agreeing that China poses a threat to their economy, according to a recent poll. Likewise, 85 percent of voters in the United States and 71 percent of voters in Europe believe China has a potential threat to their national security. These same voters also recognize the relationship between these threats and the growing technological prowess of China and Russia.

As we look for solutions, voters overwhelmingly believe that increased transatlantic cooperation on technological innovation both increases resilience to these threats and increases the potential for economic benefits from technological advances. Western progress in artificial intelligence, which is estimated to boost global gross domestic product by about 1.2 percent per year, could further strengthen these important partnerships.

By partnering with allies to accelerate AI development consistent with democratic values, and by developing policies that give the private sector ample room to innovate, the United States can influence an AI future that serves our national and economic security and ensures that we do not cede our advantage to enemy countries.

Following the November election, the first convening of the International Network of AI Security Institutes will provide another opportunity for the US government to clearly articulate its approach and reach a broader audience for further collaboration on the global stage.

At this critical moment, the United States must lead in innovation and collaboration, ensuring that the future of artificial intelligence and other strategic technologies is consistent with democratic principles and serves to protect both global security and the values ​​we support.

General Joseph F. Dunford Jr. – 19th^th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Frances F. Townsend is a former White House adviser on counterterrorism and homeland security. Michael J. Morell is a former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. All are members of the American Edge Project’s national security advisory board.