US Cyber Command proposes $5M AI Initiative for 2026 budget
U.S. Cyber Command’s FY2026 budget proposes $5 million for a new AI project to develop data standards and pilot technologies that enhance threat detection, automation, and decision-making in cyber operations.
US Cyber Command is seeking $5 million in its fiscal year 2026 budget to launch a new AI project to advance data integration and operational capabilities.
While the amount represents a small fraction of the command’s $1.3 billion research and development (R&D) portfolio, the effort reflects growing emphasis on incorporating AI into cyber operations.
The initiative follows congressional direction set in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which tasked Cyber Command and the Department of Defense’s Chief Information Officer—working with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, DARPA, the NSA, and the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering—to produce a five-year guide and implementation plan for rapid AI adoption.
However, this roadmap, developed shortly after, identified priorities for deploying AI systems, applications, and supporting data processes across cyber forces.
Cyber Command formed an AI task force within its Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) to operationalise these priorities. The newly proposed funding would support the task force’s efforts to establish core data standards, curate and tag operational data, and accelerate the integration of AI and machine learning solutions.
Known as Artificial Intelligence for Cyberspace Operations, the project will focus on piloting AI technologies using an agile 90-day cycle. This approach is designed to rapidly assess potential solutions against real-world use cases, enabling quick iteration in response to evolving cyber threats.
Budget documents indicate the CNMF plans to explore how AI can enhance threat detection, automate data analysis, and support decision-making processes. The command’s Cyber Immersion Laboratory will be essential in testing and evaluating these cyber capabilities, with external organisations conducting independent operational assessments.
The AI roadmap identifies five categories for applying AI across Cyber Command’s enterprise: vulnerabilities and exploits; network security, monitoring, and visualisation; modelling and predictive analytics; persona and identity management; and infrastructure and transport systems.
To fund this effort, Cyber Command plans to shift resources from its operations and maintenance account into its R&D budget as part of the transition from FY2025 to FY2026.
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