United States Marine Corps Artificial Intelligence Strategy ()

Key Chapter Title List

1. Preface
2. Overview
3. Problem Statement
4. Scope of Application
5. Vision
6. Guiding Principles
7. Strategic Objectives
8. AI Mission Alignment
9. AI-Competent Workforce
10. AI Deployment at Scale
11. AI Governance
12. Partnerships and Collaboration
13. Implementation Plan
14. Conclusion

Document Introduction

Against the backdrop of intensifying strategic competition between China and the United States, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a core enabling element for decision advantage on the modern battlefield. The release of the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy" (2024) by the United States Marine Corps marks a significant milestone in its digital modernization journey. Grounded in the practical value of AI in enhancing decision speed as revealed by the war in Ukraine, this strategy focuses on the requirements of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations and Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment. It aims to achieve a leap in decision-making efficiency from the minute-level to the second-level through the integration of AI technologies.

The strategy identifies five core challenges faced by the Marine Corps in the field of AI application: misalignment between AI and mission objectives, a widening AI capability gap, difficulties in scaling deployment from the enterprise level to the tactical edge, the stifling of innovation by traditional governance frameworks, and barriers to collaboration and partnership. Data management, as the most critical influencing factor in current AI application, is woven throughout the entire strategic implementation framework, highlighting its foundational role in AI enablement.

Based on the "Fighting Smart" digital modernization concept, the strategy establishes five core objectives: AI Mission Alignment, an AI-Competent Workforce, AI Deployment at Scale, AI Governance, and Partnerships and Collaboration. Each objective is supported by specific, actionable sub-objectives, forming a complete logical chain from top-level design to ground-level execution. For example, it seeks to achieve precise matching of AI to operational tasks by integrating top-down guidance with bottom-up innovative feedback; and to build a comprehensive, multi-level AI capability system through emergency training and long-term talent modernization reforms.

Regarding the implementation pathway, the strategy emphasizes adherence to the Department of Defense's Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) principles and the establishment of data management standards that are Visible, Accessible, Understandable, Linked, Trustworthy, Interoperable, and Secure (VAULTIS). Simultaneously, it proposes building an integrated infrastructure from the enterprise level to the tactical edge, incorporating cybersecurity protections, and formulating full lifecycle management specifications for AI models and algorithms to address technical risks such as model drift and hallucinations.

Cross-domain collaboration is a crucial supporting dimension of the strategy. It explicitly calls for strengthening cooperation with joint forces, allied partners, academia, and industry to maximize the use of existing mature capabilities and accelerate AI innovation and application deployment. Through mechanisms such as establishing an AI Task Group (AITG) and creating a use case repository, the strategy ensures effective translation from planning to execution, providing the Marine Corps with the means to secure decisive information advantage in competition and conflict.

This strategy is not only a key initiative for the Marine Corps to adapt to the future character of warfare but also reflects the U.S. military's overall approach to the military application of AI. It serves as an important reference for understanding the digital transformation of modern military forces.