Trump Orders Rapid AI Expansion Across US Military and Intelligence Agencies
President Donald Trump has signed a new National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) on artificial intelligence (AI), launching an ambitious effort to accelerate the adoption of advanced AI technologies across the US military and intelligence community while establishing new safeguards around their deployment.
According to White House, the directive creates a framework designed to place “the most advanced, secure, and reliable AI systems” into the hands of American warfighters and intelligence professionals, while ensuring their responsible use and maintaining accountability throughout the chain of command.
Earlier, IBTimes Singapore reported on the approval of a highly anticipated executive order designed to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity defense. The order, signed by Trump, establishes a voluntary framework that would allow developers of the AI models to grant federal authorities access to their systems for evaluation and security review before they are released to the public.
Faster AI Adoption for National Security
The memorandum instructs national security agencies to rapidly integrate cutting-edge commercial and open-source AI technologies to meet growing operational demands. It also calls for the onboarding of advanced AI models from multiple vendors, reducing dependence on any single provider and expanding access to the latest innovations.
The White House said the policy will help ensure deployed AI systems are “robust, steerable, controllable,” while preserving “clear lines of accountability under the Constitutional chain of command”.
The directive also outlines plans to build next-generation, high-security computing facilities capable of supporting future AI systems at scale.
In addition, it establishes an AI National Security Strategic Reserve, a new initiative aimed at bringing top non-governmental AI experts into national security planning and operations.
New Rules for Military AI and Accountability
As part of the memorandum, the Secretary of War has been directed to issue updated guidance on autonomy in weapon systems, while agencies across the national security enterprise will be required to review key AI policies annually to keep pace with rapid technological advances.
The White House emphasized that accountability remains central to the strategy. “Commanders, directors, and agency heads remain accountable for ensuring these obligations are met at every level,” the statement said.
The memorandum also requires federal departments and agencies to ensure that no commercial entity can “disable, degrade, or modify” AI systems relied upon by American warfighters without prior government approval.
The administration said it will pursue partnerships with private-sector companies to protect critical AI capabilities from foreign threats and interference.
Replacing Biden-Era AI Policy
The Trump administration said the new directive rescinds and replaces the Biden administration’s National Security Memorandum on AI (NSM-25), which it described as outdated and overly restrictive.
The White House also sought to reassure the public about safeguards surrounding military AI use. According to the statement, the national security enterprise “will never develop or deploy AI to censor free speech, embed ideological bias, or conduct unlawful surveillance against the American people”.
The memorandum builds on a broader AI agenda advanced by the administration over the past year, including the AI Action Plan unveiled in 2025, new federal policies governing AI procurement and recent agreements between the Department of War and eight leading AI companies to deploy advanced systems on classified military networks.
These initiatives are intended to strengthen US technological leadership and position America as the world’s leading AI-powered national security force.
