Artificial Intelligence and America’s Survival

By: Cliff Kincaid

In the ongoing debate surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the expansion of data centers, a critical perspective has emerged. While valid concerns exist regarding domestic surveillance and environmental impact, the development of AI for military applications is an absolute necessity for the survival of the United States.

We must play an active role in how this technology is developed and regulated rather than revert to a Luddite approach of stopping progress.

The challenge before us is to develop data centers required for border control and national self-defense, including President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system. At the same time, Elon Musk’s SpaceX’s $1.75 trillion IPO promises superiority in space for the United States for the future. In this regard, his AI Grok is under assault by liberal groups and Democrats on Capitol Hill.

His Tesla dealerships have already been subject to arson attacks and firebombings. In one case, the perpetrator, Paul Hyon Kim, had links to the Communist Party USA and Palestinian activist causes. Musk’s companies in the Middle East have been designated by the remnants of the terrorist regime in Iran as potential targets.

Musk, as well as Alex Karp of AI technology firm Palantir, are patriots who deserve our support as they provide key ingredients for our national defense.

Palantir’s Maven Smart System (MSS) is currently being used by the U.S. military to revolutionize what are called “targeting and logistics operations.” As a result, according to Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of United States Central Command, in less than 40 days, 90% of Iran’s defense industrial base was destroyed.

The Ukrainian military is reportedly using Palantir’s AI platform, PRISMA, to guide drone strikes deep into Russian-held territory. CEO Karp has traveled to Ukraine, appearing with President Zelensky and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and says he is on a Russian “hit list” as a result.

We must understand that AI is already being utilized in all walks of life. It functions like a human brain that operates quickly and more efficiently. However, like any brain or computer, it depends on its sources of information and ENERGY.

For an in-depth discussion of the stakes involved in the debate over AI, please read my detailed report on this topic. I used AI on that report to provide a condensed version of the basic points, as reflected in this column.

The Geopolitical Stakes

The rapid advancement of AI acts as a “force multiplier,” enabling the instant processing of massive volumes of satellite feeds, drone surveillance, and classified intelligence within modern weapons systems. Evidence demonstrates that this technology has already been utilized successfully, notably by the U.S. against Iran and by Ukraine against Russia.

According to Alex Karp, CEO of the AI firm Palantir, “We power every single Western power that is at war.”

For the United States to maintain superiority over adversaries like China and Russia, it must continue to develop and deploy these capabilities. As Palantir has noted in its manifesto, adversaries will not pause to debate the merits of such technology; they will proceed.

The Foreign-Funded Opposition

Opposition to AI data centers has grown into a significant movement, with some communities protesting their development. However, there is strong evidence suggesting that this opposition is, at least in part, fueled by foreign influence campaigns financed by China and Russia. A report by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, Foreign Influence in the Campaign against American AI, details how foreign-linked non-profits and billionaires are involved in this campaign to undermine U.S. progress.

On Capitol Hill, this opposition is frequently led by “progressives” like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have introduced the “AI Data Center Moratorium Act.” However, this bill would only apply to American AI, thereby benefiting China and Russia while potentially disarming the United States in the race for technological and military superiority.

Furthermore, a Senate panel convened by Senator Sanders on the “existential threat of AI” included panelists linked to the Chinese regime, raising concerns that the movement is being manipulated to sabotage U.S. economic recovery and national defense.

Addressing Legitimate Concerns

It is important to distinguish between the necessary military use of AI and the potential for domestic overreach. Concerns that AI and data centers could be used as tools to monitor and censor the American people are legitimate. Activists and critics are right to ask what data is being processed and whether the goal is the surveillance of citizens.

The focus for responsible conservatives, therefore, should not be on a blanket rejection of AI, which is effectively inevitable, but on two distinct fronts:

Preventing Domestic Abuse: Efforts must be concentrated on stopping the use of data to monitor and censor the American people.
Facilitating Military Strength: Data centers must be built to support essential military and national security applications, ensuring the U.S. possesses the most advanced offensive and defensive capabilities.

A Path Forward Under Trump

While some fear that unregulated AI could become more powerful than nuclear weapons, the solution is not to revert to a Luddite approach. The United States must play an active, leading role in how this technology is developed and regulated, rather than ceding this ground to foreign adversaries or international bodies like the United Nations, which some fear may seek to establish a system of “global governance” over AI.

Ultimately, the goal is to rebuild the nation’s military and economic strength. As the nation faces these challenges, it is imperative to remain vigilant against well-organized efforts to undermine American military superiority. The survival of the United States depends on successfully navigating the development of AI to ensure it serves the security and interests of the American people.