Report
June 1, 2026 • 11:42 am ET
Atlantic Council experts
The global AI landscape is defined by three intersecting forces: intensified geopolitical competition, deepening interdependence, and accelerating technological disruption. Authoritarian states are leveraging AI to consolidate domestic control and extend influence abroad, while recent frontier model developments, particularly in cybersecurity, underscore the urgency of the United States maintaining the lead in capability development. The Atlantic Council Commission on AI was formed to meet this moment and establish a blueprint for sustained US leadership in AI across six critical domains: innovation, talent, governance, supply chain, energy, and allies and partners.
The Commission reached a unifying conclusion: US leadership in AI will not be determined by any single action, but by many actions pursued through a connected, coherent, and comprehensive approach. Critically, that leadership must be grounded in public trust as a foundational element across all six domains. Building citizens’ confidence in AI, while demonstrating clear safeguards and tangible benefits, is a prerequisite for the United States to compete effectively.
