The White House said on Friday it intends to accelerate development and application of artificial intelligence within national security functions, while underscoring that these tools should not be used for unauthorized surveillance or to suppress free expression.
According to a national security memorandum, President Donald Trump stated the United States will "responsibly accelerate the use of AI across intelligence and warfighting domains in line with American values." The announcement reiterates a push to broaden AI adoption in intelligence and military settings, framed as both deliberate and value-aligned.
Earlier in the week, the administration said it would request that leading AI developers voluntarily submit their most capable models for government cybersecurity testing prior to public release. That step comes amid growing security concerns in Washington about the potential risks posed by more powerful AI systems.
The memorandum directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to update an existing directive governing the autonomy of weapons systems within 90 days. The update is to "ensure the deliberate adoption of AI systems that respect the chain of command," the document states, linking the accelerated timeline for AI deployment to a requirement that command structures be preserved.
President Trump also specified limits on how AI may be used by national security entities, saying such technologies should not be employed "to censor free speech ... or conduct unauthorized or unlawful surveillance activities." The administration framed these constraints as boundaries for responsible use while pursuing broader implementation across defense and intelligence operations.
What the plan includes
- Voluntary submission of leading AI models by developers for government cybersecurity testing before public release.
- A presidential directive to accelerate AI use in intelligence and warfighting domains.
- A 90-day requirement for the Defense Secretary to update existing weapons autonomy guidance to ensure AI adoption respects the chain of command.
The administration presented the measures as a balance between rapid technological adoption for national security purposes and explicit restrictions intended to guard against misuse. The announcement highlights ongoing concerns among policymakers about the capabilities of advanced AI and the need for governance and safeguards as those capabilities are integrated into national security operations.