AI Policy and National Security

The conversation around AI this year has shifted primarily towards national security and competition for AI leadership rather than focusing on AI safety. A notable moment was the bipartisan guidance plan for federal AI policy introduced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, which notably downplayed significant safety concerns in favor of emphasizing the need for the U.S. to maintain its AI leadership against rival nations like China. This development reflects a broader trend where lawmakers prioritize the strategic advantages of American AI systems while AI safety discussions seem to have peaked as an intellectual movement. As a result, while urgent safety concerns remain, they may not dominate the policy narrative as they once did.