In 1957, the Soviet Union shocked the globe and stoked deep fears in the United States by launching the first artificial satellite into space. This pivotal moment led to former President John F. Kennedy's 1962 call to "go to the moon," transforming the space race into a shared national mission to accelerate innovation, strengthen our technical workforce, and knock down other barriers to lasting American leadership. Sixty-two years later, America faces another foreign adversary—China—intent on leapfrogging America in a critical technology.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is America's modern-day moonshot—a chance to redefine the century and ensure that our country continues to lead the world, not just in technology, but in crafting a future where innovation is built on the values of openness to serve all of humanity. If America acts boldly now to unlock the potential of AI—including making investments in our critical infrastructure, bolstering cyber capabilities to strengthen and protect our energy grid, and dismantling other barriers to AI's promise—the rewards will reshape our society in positive, profound ways for decades to come, with more benefits than the space........