As the White House moves to coordinate federal artificial intelligence policy through a dedicated task force, the Council on Foreign Relations has released a set of priorities aimed at ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of AI development while safeguarding national security and democratic values. The recommendations arrive amid rapid advances in generative AI, growing strategic competition with China, and mounting concerns about the technology's impact on jobs, privacy, and global stability.

The Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan think tank, argues that the task force should not treat AI as merely a technical or economic issue. Instead, it should approach AI as a central element of American power, diplomacy, and domestic resilience. The group's priorities span innovation, defense, international governance, civil liberties, and workforce development, reflecting the broad reach of AI across government and society.

Key Facts

• The Council on Foreign Relations has issued priorities for the White House AI task force.
• Recommendations cover innovation, national security, international governance, civil liberties, and workforce development.
• The group urges coordinated federal action and public-private partnerships.
• It calls for clear rules on military AI, AI safety, and privacy.
• It emphasizes U.S. leadership in global AI standards and alliances.

Balancing Innovation and Security

At the top of the Council's list is the need to maintain U.S. leadership in AI research and development. The task force is urged to protect the country's innovation ecosystem by supporting basic research, expanding access to high-performance computing, and attracting top talent from around the world. The Council warns that overly restrictive regulations could cede advantages to competitors, while insufficient safeguards could create dangerous risks. The recommended approach is a calibrated strategy that promotes experimentation within clear safety boundaries.

To achieve that balance, the Council suggests the task force coordinate across federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the intelligence community. A whole-of-government approach would help avoid fragmented policies and ensure that AI investments align with strategic goals. The task force would also serve as a central point for engaging with Congress, industry, academia, and civil society.

National Security and Military AI

The Council places significant emphasis on national security. It recommends that the task force prioritize the safe and responsible integration of AI into military systems, intelligence analysis, and cybersecurity. The report calls for clear doctrine on autonomous weapons, human-in-the-loop decision-making, and escalation management. It also urges the United States to work closely with allies and partners to develop shared norms for military AI, preventing a race to the bottom in lethal autonomy.

Another security priority is countering malicious uses of AI by state and non-state actors. The Council highlights risks such as AI-enabled disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and bioweapon design. The task force is advised to strengthen detection and attribution capabilities, invest in defensive AI, and build international coalitions to impose costs on actors who misuse the technology.

International Governance and Alliances

The Council argues that the White House task force should make international AI governance a core mission. It recommends that the United States take a leading role in shaping global rules for AI safety, transparency, and accountability. This includes working through multilateral bodies, but also forming flexible coalitions with like-minded democracies in Europe, Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.

According to the Council, the task force should prioritize agreements on AI risk thresholds, testing regimes, and information sharing. It also advises engaging with adversaries to reduce the risk of accidental conflict, while maintaining technological advantages. The group warns that a fragmented global AI landscape could increase instability and undermine democratic values.

Safety, Ethics, and Civil Liberties

Domestically, the Council urges the task force to protect civil rights and civil liberties as AI tools are deployed in policing, housing, hiring, and public benefits. It recommends rigorous impact assessments, transparency requirements, and avenues for redress when automated systems cause harm. The Council also calls for strong privacy protections, arguing that AI systems often rely on vast amounts of personal data.

The task force is encouraged to support research on AI alignment, interpretability, and robustness. The Council suggests creating a federal AI safety framework that includes standards for model evaluation, red-teaming, and incident reporting. It also recommends that the government invest in tools to detect AI-generated content, including deepfakes and synthetic media, which can distort elections and public discourse.

Economic Competitiveness and Workforce

On the economic front, the Council outlines priorities for maintaining U.S. competitiveness in AI chips, software, and applications. It recommends incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, secure supply chains, and research consortia. The task force is also urged to address the risk of AI-driven job displacement by supporting worker retraining, education, and social safety nets.

The Council emphasizes the importance of STEM education and lifelong learning. It suggests partnerships with community colleges, universities, and employers to build a diverse AI workforce. Immigration reforms that retain international graduates and researchers are also recommended as a way to sustain American leadership.

Public-Private Coordination

The Council sees the private sector as an essential partner. It recommends that the task force establish regular channels for dialogue with leading AI companies, startups, and civil society groups. These channels would help government officials understand emerging capabilities, share threat information, and develop voluntary standards that can later become regulation.

At the same time, the Council warns against regulatory capture and excessive reliance on self-regulation. It advises the task force to maintain independent oversight and to ensure that national security concerns do not become a blanket justification for secrecy. Public trust, the group argues, is a strategic asset that depends on transparency and accountability.

Infrastructure, Data, and Compute

Access to computing power and high-quality data is a foundation of AI progress. The Council recommends that the task force prioritize investment in national AI research infrastructure, including shared compute resources for universities and small businesses. It also calls for better data governance, including standards for privacy, security, and interoperability.

The group highlights the need to secure critical supply chains for AI hardware, including advanced semiconductors and rare earth materials. It suggests stockpiling, allied coordination, and alternative sourcing to reduce vulnerabilities. The task force is also urged to consider energy demands, as large AI models require significant electricity and water for cooling.

Intelligence and Law Enforcement

The Council recommends that the task force develop clear guidelines for AI use in intelligence and law enforcement. These guidelines should cover data retention, algorithmic bias, and oversight by inspectors general and courts. The group argues that AI can improve threat detection and investigative efficiency, but only if it is deployed with strict safeguards.

International cooperation on intelligence-related AI is also emphasized. The Council suggests sharing best practices with allies while protecting sources and methods. It warns that adversaries may use AI to penetrate networks, spread propaganda, and manipulate financial systems.

Implementation and Oversight

The Council recommends that the task force develop metrics to track progress on each priority. It suggests annual public reports, independent audits, and congressional testimony. A dedicated budget and staff would be necessary to move from recommendations to action, the group notes.

The task force is also urged to create subcommittees for national security, economic policy, civil rights, and international coordination. These subcommittees would draw on experts from government, industry, and academia. The Council advises that the task force meet regularly with allies and partners to align policies.

As AI capabilities continue to advance, the Council argues that the United States cannot afford a piecemeal approach. The task force's ability to coordinate across agencies and sectors will determine whether the country can harness AI's benefits while managing its risks. The priorities outlined by the Council are intended to give the White House a comprehensive starting point.

Source: AI News News