National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-11 – The White House
AI Analysis
NSPM-11 prioritizes the rapid and responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the US national security enterprise, including intelligence and warfighting domains. The memo aims to remove bureaucratic hurdles, reduce vendor dependencies, and bolster a secure AI supply chain. It explicitly acknowledges competitor advancements in AI and emphasizes maintaining US technical overmatch.
Key Takeaways
- The US government intends to accelerate AI adoption for both peacetime and battlefield applications.
- A key focus is streamlining AI acquisition and deployment processes.
- The memo highlights concerns about previous administrations hindering AI integration due to bureaucracy and vendor lock-in.
- Maintaining human oversight and adherence to American values are emphasized alongside AI development.
- Building a resilient and secure AI supply chain is a priority to prevent disruption during conflict.
Why It Matters
This NSPM signals a significant shift in US defense strategy, prioritizing AI as a critical component of national security. Increased investment and faster deployment of AI-powered systems will likely impact counter-UAS capabilities, autonomous weapons development, and intelligence gathering. This directive will likely drive increased defense spending and collaboration with the private sector.
National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-11 – The White House
NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-11
June 5, 2026
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF WAR
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR POLICY AND HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISOR
THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
THE NATIONAL CYBER DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: Artificial Intelligence in the National Security Enterprise
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
Section 1. Purpose. Artificial intelligence (AI) will be among the most transformative technologies to national security in the history of the United States. When adopted appropriately, AI can help protect our warfighters during peacetime and on the battlefield, enable precise operations that minimize harm to civilians, and ensure the United States continues to maintain technical overmatch against our adversaries and strategic competitors.
Previous administrations imposed undue bureaucracy that hampered the pace of AI adoption, fostered dangerous dependencies on single vendors, and made it challenging for our warfighters to adopt the most advanced technologies. Meanwhile, our competitors continued to develop and deploy their own AI and sophisticated autonomous technologies for military and intelligence purposes, employing them with little regard for appropriate human oversight or civil liberties.
Under my Administration, the United States can and will responsibly accelerate the use of AI across intelligence and warfighting domains in line with American values. The United States possesses the most effective and moral military in the history of world. It is also among the most trusted institutions in American life. That trust is rooted in an unbroken chain of command and accountability, from our democratic process through civilian and military leadership, to the men and women who carry out the mission.
My Administration will ensure that those who safeguard America and the American way of life are equipped with the most sophisticated and secure AI technologies to perform complex, time-sensitive, and highly-consequential missions, with full confidence that those tools will be available when they matter most. We will streamline the acquisition and deployment of these technologies while maintaining rigorous oversight and building a secure and resilient supply chain that cannot be severed in times of conflict. We will work closely with the private sector and academia to ensure t