Booz Allen’s Response to the NSCAI Final Report

Based on 2 years of research, the final report of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) dramatically reframes the conversation around artificial intelligence (AI). Its straightforward message? “America is not prepared to defend or compete in the AI era” (NSCAI Final Report, p. 1).

Historically, the United States had the freedom to create technological innovation at its own pace, with open markets encouraging fair competition among private companies. But AI is no longer a “luxury good”—it has quickly become a necessity. With adversaries gaining ground, the report argues, the nation is now at risk of falling behind in the worldwide competition to harness AI.

If that happens, the United States could lose opportunities to develop advanced technologies in ways that align with ethical principles and democratic values. Given how deeply machine learning will affect human practices and institutions, any loss of influence could be impossible to reverse as the contest to shape AI’s vast potential intensifies.

This challenge cannot be solved by any one public entity, company, or industry alone. The traditional defense industrial base, technology companies operating in the national security space, startups, and academic institutions will all play a critical part in supporting the federal government’s coordinated effort to responsibly develop AI capabilities.

Quickly bridging the gap between government and industry is now essential to accelerate AI development and safeguard U.S. national security. Explore thought leadership from Booz Allen that responds to the NSCAI Final Report’s call to action, with analysis that:

• Clarifies the challenges of competing for a global technology advantage
• Assesses the drivers of AI progress across the defense and civil agency sectors
• Outlines industry-specific use cases for machine learning
• Highlights the importance of a responsible approach to AI applications
• Identifies strategies the federal government can adopt today to safeguard the nation’s fragile edge in the 21st-century technology race

Channeling America’s ingenuity—the public and private sectors working together with academia—into a coordinated effort will enable the successful development and deployment of AI at scale. Booz Allen commits to supporting a large-scale collaboration to accelerate innovation, strengthen national security, and help the nation maintain its advantage in the global AI race.