If the Best AI Wins, America Must Build It
Defense leaders argue the U.S. must prioritize domestic leadership in open-weight AI models to maintain battlefield and economic advantages amid rising global competition and security risks.
Heidi Wood, L3Harris Vice President and Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, emphasizes that American and allied forces require trustworthy AI technologies to counter advanced adversaries. She highlights the debate over regulating foreign AI models due to security and economic risks, advocating instead for a focus on securing U.S. leadership in AI, including open-weight models that enable customization and broad accessibility.
Wood warns that allowing foreign companies to dominate open-weight AI could undermine U.S. competitiveness and security. She points to conflicts like the war in Ukraine, where open-weight models have been critical for integrating AI into battlefield management systems, enabling troop coordination and enemy monitoring without reliance on proprietary systems.
Quinlan Lyte, President of Advanced Effects, Missile Solutions at L3Harris, underscores the need for industry innovation to address rapidly evolving threats. He stresses that modern battlefield challenges demand adaptable AI solutions, producible at scale to meet operational demands and maintain a competitive edge.
The authors argue that the U.S. must reorient its AI strategy to prioritize domestic development and control of open-weight models. This approach ensures warfighters have access to adaptable, customizable AI tools while mitigating risks associated with reliance on foreign technologies.