To support U.S. leadership in AI, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is investing $20 million in large-scale AI security projects.
This investment will be used for a new research and development center, the AI Economic Security Center for U.S. Manufacturing Productivity, and the AI Economic Security Center to protect America's critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
The two organizations, both run by the U.S. nonprofit MITER, will develop technology assessments and advances “necessary to effectively protect America's lead in AI innovation, address threats from adversary use of AI, and reduce risks from reliance on insecure AI,” NIST said in an official statement on Dec. 22.
The institute expects these centers to enable breakthroughs in applied science and advanced technology, providing disruptive and innovative solutions to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Paul Dabbar said the investment will “help drive America's manufacturing renaissance” by increasing the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing and attracting investment into the country.
Craig Burkhardt, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Acting Director of NIST, also commented on the new NIST-MITRE collaboration: “This new agreement with MITER will focus on strengthening the ability of U.S. companies to more efficiently manufacture high-value products, meet domestic and international market demand, and accelerate the discovery and commercialization of new technologies and devices.”
This investment is part of NIST's 21st Century U.S. Technology Leadership Strategy to accelerate progress in critical emerging technologies from development to deployment and is consistent with the recommendations of the White House's July 2025 U.S. AI Action Plan, including Pillar 1: Accelerating AI Innovation and Pillar 2: Building America's AI Infrastructure.
The two centers complete a series of projects focused on AI and security led by NIST, including the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), formerly known as the American AI Safety Institute.
Additionally, NIST will soon announce $70 million in AI for the Resilient Manufacturing Institute under the Manufacturing USA program, which combines federal funding and private investment to strengthen AI-driven supply chain and manufacturing resiliency.
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