Four AI Policy Choices Policymakers Can’t Afford to Get Wrong

Early decisions on artificial intelligence policy within the U.S. Department of Defense will have long-lasting consequences for national security. The current focus on specific provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act overlooks larger, foundational questions that will shape the military's trajectory for decades. Key unresolved issues include who defines "trustworthy" AI, what role AI will play in peacetime "gray zone" competition, and whether AI will simply augment or completely revolutionize the military services. Without clear answers to these questions, the U.S. risks being surprised by adversaries or locking itself into suboptimal strategies.