U.S. Department of State Enterprise Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategy

List of Key Chapter Titles

1. Remarks by the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources
2. Executive Summary
3. Ambition Statement
4. Goal 1: Pioneer Cutting-Edge Statecraft for 21st Century Challenges
5. Goal 2: Accelerate Technology Adoption Through Strategic Enablement
6. Goal 1.1: Equip Diplomats with Innovative Data and AI Capabilities
7. Goal 1.2: Develop Data and AI-Enabled Infrastructure
8. Goal 1.3: Champion Cross-Sector Data and AI Collaboration
9. Goal 1.4: Future-Proof the Diplomatic Workforce
10. Goal 2.1: Drive Innovation Through Strategic Data and AI Leadership
11. Goal 2.2: Expand Access to Mission-Critical, AI-Ready Data
12. Goal 2.4: Streamline Departmental AI Risk Management

Document Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive review of the U.S. Department of State's "Enterprise Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategy." Against the backdrop of an AI race perceived as non-negotiable and intensifying great power competition, the document articulates how the State Department intends to systematically leverage data and AI technologies to reshape diplomatic practice, enhance mission effectiveness, and safeguard U.S. prosperity and national security. The report explicitly states that this effort is not only about maintaining technological leadership but also about consolidating America's dominant position and strategic advantage on the global stage through technological empowerment, guided by a foreign policy of "America First."

The core framework of the report revolves around two strategic goals. The first goal, "Pioneer Cutting-Edge Statecraft for 21st Century Challenges," focuses on directly empowering diplomatic operations themselves. Specific initiatives include: equipping diplomatic personnel with a suite of innovative tools represented by the AI.State platform, such as agent AI capable of autonomously handling workflows, next-generation crisis response systems, and the digital analytics tool Northstar, to improve the speed and precision of decision-making. Simultaneously, by building high-speed, secure global digital infrastructure (e.g., the Data.State data platform) and strengthening cross-agency data collaboration and AI capability integration with federal agencies like the Department of Defense, the aim is to break down information silos and achieve a whole-of-government coordinated response. Furthermore, the report emphasizes systematically enhancing the entire diplomatic corps' "data and AI literacy" through AI skills training for diplomats at all levels, establishing communities of practice, and creating awards, thereby building a future-ready, technology-enabled diplomatic force.

The second goal, "Accelerate Technology Adoption Through Strategic Enablement," focuses on optimizing the internal governance environment to facilitate the safe, efficient integration and scaled application of AI technologies. The report advocates shifting from a traditional regulatory model to one of "strategic enablement," fostering innovation by streamlining approval processes and encouraging safe experimentation. Key actions include: implementing a "default open, exceptions restricted" data policy to expand access to high-quality, AI-ready data; establishing an Artificial Intelligence Investment Management (AIM) Group to coordinate investments, avoid duplication, and track benefits; and establishing a streamlined, pragmatic AI risk management framework aligned with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines, including developing plans for high-risk AI tools and establishing a risk register, with the goal of accelerating the deployment of trustworthy AI while ensuring security and privacy.

The implementation aspect of the report reflects a strong practice-oriented approach. It cites several already-implemented initiatives as foundational, such as the generative AI chatbot StateChat serving over 95% of overseas posts globally, the enterprise data catalog aggregating over 1,400 data assets, and the signed industry-leading GenAI product service terms agreement. Moving forward, the State Department plans to transparently track strategic progress through an interactive "Implementation Dashboard" on the AI.State platform. The entire strategy strictly adheres to directives such as the "American AI Initiative," Executive Order 14179, and the Office of Management and Budget's M-25-21 memo, aiming to ensure alignment with broader federal policy directions. Ultimately, the strategy's vision is to create a more responsive, precise in decision-making, seamlessly collaborative, and technologically advanced diplomatic institution through the deep integration of data and AI, thereby advancing U.S. interests with unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness in an increasingly complex world, maintaining its technological edge and global leadership.