Anne Neuberger Discusses AI Leadership, Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure
Competition over artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly intertwined with cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and international technology strategy, according to former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies Anne Neuberger.
In a recent interview with NPR's All Things Considered, Neuberger discussed artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the context of U.S.-China relations, highlighting both areas of competition and potential opportunities for cooperation.
One issue is how technological leadership should be measured. Developing the world's most advanced AI models is only one dimension of competition; widespread adoption of the underlying technology platforms and infrastructure can also determine which technologies become globally influential.
Neuberger contrasted the U.S. emphasis on maintaining cutting-edge AI capabilities with China's experience promoting lower-cost technologies internationally. The availability and affordability of open models could therefore become an important factor in determining which AI ecosystems are adopted around the world.
Cybersecurity adds another dimension. AI can increase the capabilities available to attackers, but it can also provide defenders with tools for analyzing large volumes of security information, identifying anomalies, finding vulnerabilities, and responding more rapidly.
Of particular concern is the potential compromise of critical infrastructure. Neuberger highlighted the security implications of state-backed actors establishing persistent access within civilian infrastructure, making cybersecurity an important element of the broader strategic relationship between major technological powers.
The discussion illustrates how AI, cybersecurity, communications infrastructure, software ecosystems, national policy, and physical infrastructure are becoming increasingly interdependent. For the systems-of-systems community, these interactions underscore the challenge of securing environments in which technological, organizational, and physical systems cross traditional boundaries.
Source: NPR, All Things Considered, “Defining global leadership in AI at Trump-Xi summit,” published September 20, 2026.
Original NPR Interview: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/20/nx-s1-5973116/defining-global-leadership-in-ai-at-trump-xi-summit