October 19, 2017
The Policy Dimension of Leading in AI
The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is creating new challenges for law, policy, and governance at domestic and international levels. Although advances in AI could causeproductivity growth and spark a new industrial revolution, current trends in robotics and automation will likely cause unprecedented economic dislocation, particularly by replacing low-skilled jobs. Projected to increase GDP by 14% as of 2030, AI is on track to become a critical accelerant of global economic growth. Yet the greatest economic benefits from AI will likely go to China and the United States, with more modest gains in growth and productivity for developing countries. Such uneven distribution of AI’s benefits could exacerbate inequality, resulting in higher concentrations of wealth within and among nations. In addition, algorithmic bias tends to compound human and systemic biases, compounding societal inequities. Concurrently, international competition to leverage military applications of AI has provoked concerns of an “AI arms race.” Looking forward, these trends could disrupt domestic and international politics alike.
Read the full op-ed in Lawfare.
More from CNAS
-
Commentary
Technology & National Security
The Kill Switch and the Long ArmBut much remains undecided: The EU’s rules are still being written, and the biggest investments are still only plans. An assurance offered now can shape those choices but if o...
By Pablo Chavez
-
Podcast
Technology & National Security
AI, Trust, and the Future of WarfareLieutenant General John (Jack) N.T. Shanahan, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, helped shape the Department of Defense...
By Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan
-
CNAS Insights
Technology & National Security
CNAS Insights | Governing Jailbreak IncidentsIn June 2026, Anthropic publicly released Claude Fable 5, a restricted version of its highly cyber-capable Mythos model. Within days, reports reached U.S. officials that resea...
By Ben Hayum
-
Commentary
Technology & National Security
Closing the Remote Access LoopThis article was originally published in Issues in Science and Technology. As Asad Ramzanali argues in “Why the Cloud Needs Competition” (Issues, Winter 2026), cloud computing...
By Michelle Nie
