Artificial Superintelligence and National Security: Unlocking Near-Term Investment Opportunities in ASI Infrastructure and Defense AI Startups

The global race for Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) has entered a critical phase, with former U.S. intelligence officials and policymakers sounding alarms about existential risks and strategic vulnerabilities. As artificial general intelligence (AGI) and ASI development accelerates, the U.S. government and private sector are mobilizing unprecedented resources to secure leadership in this domain. For investors, this urgency creates a unique window to capitalize on ASI infrastructure and defense-related AI startups, backed by concrete government contracts, venture capital inflows, and bipartisan policy frameworks.

The ASI Urgency: From Intelligence Leaks to Existential Risks

Recent revelations from former U.S. intelligence insiders underscore the gravity of the situation. A 2024 government-commissioned report warned that frontier AI development could lead to an “extinction-level threat to the human species,” urging immediate policy interventions to manage risksAI Poses Extinction-Level Risk, State-Funded Report^[1]. This aligns with the RAND Corporation's analysis, which identifies five hard national security problems posed by AGI, including the potential for “wonder weapons” and systemic power shiftsArtificial General Intelligence's Five Hard National Security Problems^[2]. Former CIA officer Buck Sexton highlighted a classified project dubbed “Manhattan II,” involving autonomous AI fighter pilots that could redefine warfareFormer CIA Officer Lifts the Curtain on Upcoming Artificial Superintelligence Drive^[3]. Such developments demand urgent action, as adversaries like China and Russia are also racing to harness AI for military dominanceU.S. intelligence agencies’ embrace of generative AI is at once wary and urgent^[4].

The Biden administration has responded with Executive Order 14141 (2025), prioritizing domestic AI infrastructure to safeguard national security and economic competitivenessStatement by President Biden on the Executive Order on Advancing U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure^[5]. This includes clean energy integration to reduce costs for AI data centers and secure supply chains for critical componentsStatement by President Biden on the Executive Order on Advancing U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure^[5]. Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has pledged to “aggressively pursue” leaks of sensitive AI-related information, emphasizing the need for accountabilityGabbard pledges to 'aggressively pursue' leaks from U.S. intelligence agencies^[6].

Defense AI Startups: The New Frontier of Strategic Investment

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is channeling billions into AI startups and infrastructure projects to maintain a technological edge. In 2025, the DoD awarded $200 million contracts to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI for advanced AI tools, including agentic workflows and large language modelsPentagon awards multiple companies $200M contracts for AI tools^[7]. xAI's “Grok for Government” initiative, offering its Grok 4 model to federal agencies, exemplifies the private sector's role in national securityPentagon awards multiple companies $200M contracts for AI tools^[7].

Defense AI startups are also attracting record funding. Anduril Industries, a leader in autonomous systems, raised $2.5 billion in a Series G round at a $30.5 billion valuation, driven by a $22 billion Army contract for AR/VR headsets and partnerships with Meta and PalantirAnduril Secures $2.5B in Oversubscribed Round, Valuation Soars^[8]. Similarly, Scale AI secured $1 billion at a $13.8 billion valuation to advance military AI frameworksScale AI, Anduril Drive Billion-Dollar Checks for AI-Defense Tech^[9]. These startups are not only scaling rapidly but also aligning with DoD priorities like the AI Rapid Capabilities Cell, which accelerates warfighting and digital experimentationFY2025 NDAA Highlights Artificial Intelligence^[10].

Strategic Infrastructure: Powering the ASI Ecosystem

ASI infrastructure requires massive computational power and secure energy systems. Intel's Liftoff program is supplying advanced chips to startups like Kamiwaza, which develops AI orchestration engines for the Department of Homeland SecurityAI defense startups get compute power they need to complete their software^[11]. Meanwhile, the DoD's $1.8 billion FY2025 AI investment includes projects like a $116.96 million aircraft maintenance hangar in Hawaii and a $62 million training facility in Arizona, emphasizing sustainability and cybersecurityUpcoming DOD construction projects offer diverse contracting opportunities^[12].

The FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) further solidifies this momentum, mandating AI research, international partnerships, and centers of excellence for AI-enabled weapons systemsFY2025 NDAA Prioritizes AI, Modernization and^[13]. These initiatives reflect a bipartisan consensus that AI is a strategic imperative, with adoption—rather than invention—driving the next phase of defense innovationSVDG Releases 2025 NatSec100 Report^[14].

Risks and Mitigation: Governance and Oversight

While the opportunities are vast, risks remain. The 2023 classified document leaks by Jack Teixeira highlighted vulnerabilities in safeguarding sensitive AI technologiesWhat you need to know about the leaked US secret^[15]. To address this, the NDAA calls for federal AI agencies to regulate development and prevent adversarial accessFY2025 NDAA Highlights Artificial Intelligence^[16]. Investors must prioritize startups with robust security protocols and government certifications, such as Anduril's compliance with Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection standardsUpcoming DOD construction projects offer diverse contracting opportunities^[12].

Conclusion: A Golden Era for ASI-Driven Defense Innovation

The convergence of geopolitical urgency, executive action, and private-sector innovation has created a fertile ground for ASI infrastructure and defense AI startups. With DoD contracts, venture capital inflows, and existential risk warnings from intelligence insiders, the case for investment is compelling. However, success hinges on aligning with government priorities, ensuring ethical governance, and leveraging the expertise of startups at the forefront of this technological revolution.