In anticipation of AI's pivotal role in future conflicts, the DoD’s 2025 budget requests $143.2 billion for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, including $1.8 billion specifically allocated to AI and machine learning projects.

Protecting the U.S. and its allies is a priority. Still, Dr. Benjamin Harvey, CEO of AI Squared, noted that government partnerships also provide AI companies with stable revenue, early problem-solving, and a role in shaping future regulations.

"AI developers want to leverage federal government use cases as learning opportunities to understand real-world challenges unique to this sector," Harvey told Decrypt. "This experience gives them an edge in anticipating issues that might emerge in the private sector over the next five to 10 years.