UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS WITH CHINESE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVES IN LATIN AMERICA

The United States and the Chinese are engaged in an artificial intelligence (AI) competition. The Chinese AI initiatives in Latin America have given it an initial advantage in the region against the United States. First, the thesis examines the Chinese broader technology initiatives and shows how the Chinese plan to use AI to gain advantages economically, politically, and militarily to become the world leader in AI. Next, the thesis examines data that shows how the Chinese have many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that are using AI technology from Chinese companies, and that the United States has significantly fewer countries choosing its technology. Finally, the thesis explains that the United States has some advantages in AI development, but there is the potential for the United States to lose out to the Chinese in the Latin American and Caribbean market, which would negatively affect the United States' long-term national security. Therefore, the thesis argues that America should use security sector assistance to help improve Latin American and Caribbean indigenous capabilities and improve the relationships with United States private business, academia, and security institutions. The United States should implement changes so that it remains the AI partner of choice.Major, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited