Texas A&M Artificial Intelligence National Security Institute

Securing the Future with AI Innovation at Texas A&M

Texas A&M University’s leadership in defense, biosecurity, and advanced computing infrastructure positions it as the ideal institution to advance AI-driven national defense solutions.

A member of the Corps of Cadets in his uniform studying at a library table.

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize national security, enabling smarter, faster, and more efficient responses to emerging threats. Texas A&M University is exceptionally qualified to lead the establishment of a National AI Institute for National Security and Defense, offering a powerful convergence of capabilities in AI, large language models, and data science. Texas A&M recognizes the urgent national need of accelerating the delivery and adoption of frontier AI capabilities that can provide predictive, autonomous, and adaptive security solutions. By leveraging our subject matter experts, secure networking, state-of-the-art facilities, and interdisciplinary research clusters, we propose to develop scalable AI technologies for critical areas such as intelligence operations, command and control of autonomic vehicles, biodefense, and terrorism.

Background

The future of AI in the national security and defense space is predicated on having sufficient technical talent, the experts to train it, and computational resources. Texas A&M prepares the future of America’s national defense force through the Corps of Cadets, a large student military organization that focuses on developing students for leadership roles. The university is uniquely able to integrate interdisciplinary expertise across computer science, cybersecurity engineering, political science, defense studies, public policy, and health. Further, The Texas A&M University System has made a landmark investment in AI and high-performance computing (HPC) through the deployment of three NVIDIA DGX SuperPODs. Once operational in late fall 2025, the integrated system will house one of the most powerful academic AI supercomputers in the United States.

Snapshot of Defense Partnerships

NUCLEAR: Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives; Nuclear Science Center; Nuclear Solutions Institute

CYBERSECURITY: Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center; Texas A&M Global Cyber Research Institute

BIOSECURITY: Biosecurity and Pandemic Policy Center

Priority Details

Request: NDAA Authorization
Fiscal Year: 2026
Type: National Security Institute
Funders: Department of Defense & Department of Energy

Institute Focus Areas

The Texas A&M University AI Institute will incorporate both formal training programs (e.g. certificate programs) and informal hands-on opportunities focused on attracting, training, and retaining an innovative workforce across the technical domains of AI work roles. In alignment with Department of Defense AI enablement efforts, the institute focus areas will cover both warfighting (command and control decision support, operational planning, logistics, uncrewed and autonomous systems, intelligence activities) as well as enterprise management (enterprise logistics and supply chain, health care, information management, legal analysis and compliance, procurement processes). The institute will pursue dominance through the following sectors:

AI in Intelligence Operations

Process data quickly and with greater precision via geospatial analysis.
Automate repetitive tasks and provide recommendations.
Reduce human error and augment human decision-making.
Increase accuracy and decrease collateral damage in operations.
Enhance threat detection (when combined with computer vision and machine learning) and reduce false alarm rates.

AI in Command and Control of Autonomous Vehicles

Strengthen the autonomous navigation of ground and aerial vehicles.
Improve human-machine teaming, enhancing coordination through real-time data analysis, assessing situations, and identifying threats.
Suggest courses of action to improve mission success.
Support multi-domain operations by seamlessly integrating air, land, sea, and cyber capabilities, allowing for more coordinated operations.

AI for Biodefense and Bioterrorism

Integrate multi-modal AI, digital twins, and predictive analytics to address threats (from viral pandemics to synthetic bioterror agents).
Ensure rapid detection, autonomous response, and resilient recovery strategies, while driving transformative solutions for biosecurity.
Bolster supply chain integrity for food, water, and defense assets.
Cultivate a next-generation workforce in biodefense.

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