Hello everyone, I'm Tak@, a system integrator.

We are currently standing at a major turning point in history. If you feel that the pace of societal evolution today is even slightly "too fast," then it's likely just the prelude to an AI-driven future.

That's because the United States of America is aiming for "global dominance" in the AI field with national prestige on the line. This grand vision is no longer a matter of science fiction.

The AI Competition Landscape and America's Goals

The United States is currently engaged in an intense competition to establish global superiority in artificial intelligence (AI). Winning this competition is believed to usher in a new era of human prosperity, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people.

As a system integrator, I've worked with various systems, but I'm truly amazed to see a specific technology become such a central part of a national-level strategy. This is more than just technology development; it's a monumental project that will determine the nation's future.

President Donald J. Trump recognized this importance early on, directing the development of an AI Action Plan at the beginning of his second term. This plan is built upon three pillars: accelerating innovation, building AI infrastructure, and leading in international diplomacy and national security.

It's safe to say that this plan outlines America's path to victory in the AI competition.

The Three Main Pillars: The Framework of a National Strategy

America's AI Action Plan, designed to establish global supremacy in the AI field, is broadly composed of three pillars. These pillars represent a multifaceted approach that promotes the development of AI technology, builds the foundation for it, and secures leadership in the international community.

It's akin to comprehensively considering functions, infrastructure, and external collaboration when designing a massive system. I see this three-pronged strategy as fundamentally supporting America's goals in the AI sector.

Pillar 1: Accelerating AI Innovation

The first pillar is "Accelerating AI Innovation." The U.S. aims to lead the world not only in developing the most powerful AI systems but also in applying these technologies creatively and in ways that transform society.

This is because how technology is used, rather than the technology itself, drives economic growth, job creation, and scientific advancement.

Specific initiatives are diverse. For example, the government seeks to create an environment that fosters private-sector led innovation by removing burdensome regulations and unnecessary hurdles.

Other examples include ensuring AI protects free speech and American values, encouraging open-source and open-weight AI, promoting AI adoption, and empowering American workers in the AI era. Accelerating AI adoption within government agencies and the Department of Defense, protecting commercial and government AI innovation, and combating synthetic media (e.g., fake news) in the legal system are also crucial elements of this pillar.

When I created my own "AI Learning Planner", I started by experimenting with simple APIs. I've realized that innovation can begin with even the smallest step. From an SIer's perspective, it makes perfect sense for the government to support the private sector's free thinking.

Pillar 2: Building America's AI Infrastructure

The second pillar is "Building America's AI Infrastructure." AI, as a modern digital service, demands significantly greater energy generation capabilities from the United States than any previous era.

I found this to be an incredibly important perspective. When developing systems, it's easy to focus solely on software and algorithms, but this really underscores the importance of the underlying physical infrastructure.

For the U.S. to achieve superiority in the AI field, it's essential to address the energy supply challenges that have stagnated since the 1970s.

This includes streamlining permitting for semiconductor manufacturing facilities and energy infrastructure while ensuring their safety, developing and strengthening electricity grids to match the pace of AI innovation, restoring American semiconductor manufacturing, building high-security data centers for military and intelligence agencies, and developing a skilled workforce to build AI infrastructure.

Furthermore, strengthening critical infrastructure cybersecurity, promoting "secure-by-design" AI technologies and applications, and maturing the federal government's AI incident response capabilities are integral to this pillar.

In essence, the advancement of AI relies on a robust, often unseen, physical and digital foundation.

Pillar 3: Leading International AI Diplomacy and Security

The third pillar is "Leading International AI Diplomacy and Security." To succeed in the global AI competition, it's crucial not only to promote AI within the U.S. but also to proliferate American AI systems, computing hardware, and standards worldwide.

The U.S. is currently a global leader in data center construction, computing hardware performance, and AI models. Leveraging this advantage to build lasting global alliances while simultaneously preventing adversaries from "free-riding" on American innovation and investment is considered essential.

Specific actions include exporting American AI to allies and partners, countering China's influence in international governance bodies, strengthening enforcement of AI compute export controls, closing loopholes in existing semiconductor manufacturing export controls, coordinating safeguards globally, and ensuring the U.S. government is at the forefront of assessing national security risks in frontier models and investing in biosecurity.

"The future of technology is shaped not only by the technology itself but also by who uses it, how they use it, and with whom they collaborate and from whom they protect it." This plan, I felt, precisely connects complex international relations with technological development.

Interpreting the AI Action Plan from a Project Management Perspective: A PMBOK Mindset

Having examined America's AI Action Plan, I believe this grand national strategy is deeply connected to the concepts discussed in the "PMBOK Guide" within the world of project management.

PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) is a comprehensive collection of project management knowledge, and its seventh edition has undergone significant evolution to adapt to the rapidly changing modern world.

PMBOK 7th Edition shifted from a traditional "process-based" approach to a more flexible "principle-based" mindset. It focuses on 12 project management principles applicable to any industry or project, and 8 project performance domains essential for effectively achieving project outcomes.

National initiatives like the AI Action Plan, as well as individual AI system developments undertaken by SIers like us, should be able to apply these principles universally.

PMBOK recognizes various development approaches, such as agile and hybrid, and strongly emphasizes not just deliverables but the "outcomes" those deliverables bring about.

For example, the AI Action Plan's goal isn't merely to "create AI systems" but to achieve concrete outcomes like "improving economic competitiveness and national security." This outcome-oriented thinking is crucial for new technologies like AI to deliver true value to society.

Furthermore, PMBOK highlights the importance of "tailoring" – adjusting the approach to suit the project's circumstances. In fields with high uncertainty and constant change, like AI development, a one-size-fits-all approach won't work.

This tailoring concept is highly effective even in massive projects like the AI Action Plan, allowing for the selection of optimal development methodologies and management approaches for each component or phase. It's precisely the same thinking we apply daily when adjusting system designs and development methods to client needs.

Moreover, PMBOK's advocated "systems thinking" is also crucial for understanding this AI Action Plan. Projects are viewed not merely as independent collections of activities but as part of a "system" that aligns with the overall organizational strategy and business goals to create value. The way each pillar of the AI Action Plan interacts with one another is a prime example of systems thinking.

And the PMBOK principles on how to address elements like "uncertainty" and "complexity" offer valuable hints for the challenges faced when tackling uncharted territory like AI development.

Analysis: The Power of "Management" Shaping the Future of AI

America's AI Action Plan is more than just a technology development roadmap. It's a national declaration of intent on how to integrate, manage, and utilize the unprecedented power of AI within society.

The project management principles and domains discussed in PMBOK might seem rigid at first glance, but they contain universal wisdom applicable to all sizes of AI-related projects, from national strategies like the AI Action Plan to small tool developments like Tak@'s hobby project, the "AI Learning Planner."

Especially in AI development, "uncertainty" and "complexity" are constant companions. New technologies, unpredictable market changes, ethical issues – we constantly face unknown challenges. PMBOK explicitly addresses these as the "Uncertainty Performance Domain," providing concrete response strategies like gathering information, preparing for multiple outcomes, and building adaptability. This serves as a very reassuring guide for advancing AI projects.

Furthermore, the impact of AI on society is immeasurable. Employment, ethics, privacy, and international relations – all are deeply connected to PMBOK's principles of "stakeholder engagement" and "risk optimization."

AI offers us tremendous opportunities, but it also carries potential "threats." The ability to identify these risks in advance and respond appropriately is essential for the healthy development of AI.

Conclusion: To "Continue Creating" the Future with AI

America's AI Action Plan sets a grand goal of "global dominance" in the AI field. However, I strongly feel that achieving this requires not only producing excellent technology but also wisely managing and integrating it into society.

The principle-based approach and focus on project performance domains outlined in the PMBOK Guide provide a solid foundation for thinking, enabling us to adapt to change, overcome uncertainty, and deliver true value as "outcomes" in rapidly evolving fields like AI.

How do you envision the future brought by AI? And to make that future "better," what kind of "management" or "thinking" should each of us, or our organizations, embrace?

The future of AI will evolve for the better, shaped not just by technology, but by our thinking and management.

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