US Positions AI as Geopolitical Power
The U.S. is framing AI as a new pillar of geopolitical influence, similar to the post-WWII military-industrial complex, according to Morgan Stanley analysts. The strategy promotes "real AI sovereignty" through American systems, creating a global split between proprietary U.S. models and nations prioritizing open access and data control.
This strategy builds on years of policy, including the 2020 National AI Initiative Act, which aimed to bolster research and development across the government. A key influence was the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), which operated from 2018 to 2021 and was co-chaired by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. The NSCAI's 2021 final report urged a dramatic increase in federal AI R&D spending to $32 billion by 2026 to compete with China, framing global AI leadership as a national security priority. The report recommended creating a Digital Service Academy and a Digital Corps to bring tech talent into government service. Federal investment in non-defense AI R&D reached approximately $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2025, a figure that doesn't include broader agency-specific programs. Key agencies driving this investment include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The U.S. strategy focuses on exporting its entire AI technology stack and leveraging private sector innovation to set global standards. This market-driven approach contrasts sharply with the European Union's regulation-heavy AI Act, which prioritizes risk management and fundamental rights, creating a different model for global influence. This creates a global competition of digital worldviews. The U.S. champions a model based on private enterprise and alliances, while China pursues a state-controlled approach with a focus on practical applications in the physical economy, like manufacturing and EVs, which it promotes to the Global South.
