The legislative text includes new requirements for the Department of Defense’s use of artificial intelligence.
Congressional leaders have unveiled the text of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a range of artificial intelligence (AI) measures to expand the use and governance of AI within the Department of Defense (DoD) and related national security functions. The must-pass defense bill moves through the conference process after House and Senate committees approved versions with overlapping AI provisions.
The provisions would authorize the DoD to establish a National Security and Defense AI Institute at a U.S.-eligible host institution to support cross-cutting research and workforce development. The legislation also directs the department to develop standards for managing biological data for use with AI, integrate commercial AI tools into logistics operations, and launch pilot programs for data-enabled ground vehicle maintenance.
Separate sections would require unified frameworks for assessing and overseeing AI models across the DoD, including performance, security, and ethical standards, and establish “digital sandbox” environments for experimentation and training. A steering committee co-chaired by senior military leaders would be tasked with shaping the strategy for adopting advanced and general-purpose AI.
Other measures would expand high-performance computing roadmaps to include commercial cloud services and mandate the removal of certain high-risk AI systems from DoD networks unless a waiver is granted for mission-critical or research purposes. Annual cybersecurity training is set to be revised to address unique challenges posed by AI.
Lawmakers also directed the DoD to brief Congress on selected AI exercises, tools, and evaluation plans by March 1, 2026, and to report on the effectiveness of pilot programs within a year of enactment.
A House Armed Services Committee aide said the AI text “aims to responsibly expand the department’s AI capabilities while embedding oversight and security.” Negotiations between the House and Senate versions of the defense bill continue as lawmakers work toward final passage.
