Skip to content

Advancing America’s global AI leadership through digital diplomacy and strategic cooperation

The moon rises over the Capitol dome as an airplane lands at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Oct. 22.
The moon rises over the Capitol dome as an airplane lands at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Oct. 22. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

As artificial intelligence reshapes the global landscape, America must seize the moment to lead AI’s development and deployment worldwide. By doing so, we can reinforce our alliances, secure our leadership in the technologies that will drive the 21st century and protect our national interests.

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

The U.S. government has recognized the need for collaboration with allied governments and the private sector to ensure the principled development of AI systems and build consensus on AI governance. Most recently, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alongside eight leading AI companieslaunched the Partnership for Global Inclusivity on AI. The partnership recognizes the link between achieving global development goals and increasing access to AI models.

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

But this important gain will only come true if we are the leading innovator of these technologies, especially in a diversity of AI models. For example, open-source AI plays a key role in fostering innovation and collaboration across sectors, helping to accelerate advancements in cybersecurity and AI-driven defense systems, which is critical as adversaries like China and Russia continue to target U.S. infrastructure. Incorporating both proprietary and open-source AI models into defense strategies ensures a robust and dynamic approach to safeguarding national security.

U.S. partnerships with the private sector are also critical for 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 best harness the private sector’s capabilities, the U.S. government should partner with our most innovative companies, while avoiding overregulation that stifles innovation. At the same time, more American tech companies — home to some of the greatest minds globally — must take an active role in advancing national security.

Their innovation is crucial for protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining our technological edge. This mutual partnership between government and the private sector will ensure both innovation and national security are strengthened, positioning the U.S. to face global threats with unmatched capability.

Maintaining our technological edge is recognized by policymakers and the public alike. In fact, voters in democratic countries understand clearly that investments in technology are imperative to both promoting our shared values and protecting themselves from international threats.

According to recent polling, voters in Western countries agree that foreign adversaries may undermine their economic security, with 78 percent of U.S. voters and 76 percent of European voters acknowledging that China is a threat to their economies. Likewise, 85 percent of U.S. voters and 71 percent of European voters see China as potentially threatening to their national security. These same voters also recognize the correlation between these threats and the increasing technological prowess of China and Russia.

As we look to solutions, a vast majority of voters believe that increased transatlantic collaboration on technology innovation both builds resilience to these threats and magnifies the potential to reap the economic benefits of technological gains. Western-led advances in AI, estimated to boost global gross domestic product by roughly 1.2 percent a year, can further strengthen these critical partnerships.

By leveraging partnerships with allies to accelerate AI development aligned with democratic values, as well as crafting policies that grant the private sector sufficient space 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 adversary nations.

Following the November elections, the inaugural Convening of International Network of AI Safety Institutes will present the U.S. government with another opportunity to clearly articulate its approach and reach a broader audience for further collaboration on the global stage. 

In this defining moment, the United States must lead with innovation and collaboration, ensuring that the future of AI and other strategic technologies align with democratic principles and serve to safeguard both global security and the values we uphold.

Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. is the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Frances F. Townsend is former White House counterterrorism and homeland security adviser. Michael J. Morell is former deputy director and acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency. All serve as American Edge Project national security advisory board members.

Recent Stories

Rep. Bishop picked for No. 2 slot in Trump OMB after statewide loss

Senate Democrats air concerns about Trump mass deportation plan

McConnell suffers minor injuries in fall

Don’t count out Roy Cooper in 2026

DOJ watchdog review sparks change to policy on lawmaker records

Supreme Court sounds ready to curb environmental impact reviews