Congress Increases AI and Machine Learning Funding in New Bill

Published Date : 14/07/2025 

The new reconciliation bill, One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), allocates significant funds to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities across various sectors, including defense, rural broadband, health care, border security, and maritime systems. 

Last week’s post provided a look at some of the technology investments in H.R. 1, otherwise known as the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This week, we delve deeper into the AI/ML investments in the OBBBA that were not covered in the previous article. These investments underscore the commitment of both the White House and Congress to developing advanced AI/ML capabilities as a national priority.

Weapons Production

Congress is providing substantial funds for the Department of Defense (DOD) to leverage AI/ML for the production of weapon systems, including those deployed in cyberspace. Section 20005 of the bill authorizes $250 million to advance the “artificial intelligence ecosystem” of the DOD’s testing and development infrastructure. Additionally, U.S. Cyber Command will receive $250 million to expand its arsenal of AI/ML capabilities.

Rural Broadband

Defense requirements are not the only areas seeing funding increases for AI/ML. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) oversees the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which was authorized by earlier legislation. Section 40012 of the OBBBA supports the BEAD Program by supplying $500 million to fund the NTIA’s AI/ML efforts. Of this total, $25 million is allocated for “negotiating master services agreements on behalf of subgrantees of an eligible entity or political subdivision to enable access to quantity purchasing and licensing discounts for the construction, acquisition, and deployment of infrastructure for the provision of artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems.”

Rural Health Transformation

Congress also believes that AI/ML technology has the potential to transform rural health care. Section 71401 of the bill funds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with $25 million from fiscal year 2028 to 2032. This funding will support “training and technical assistance for the development and adoption of technology-enabled solutions that improve care delivery in rural hospitals, including remote monitoring, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies.”

Border Security

Funding is also provided for securing the nation’s borders using AI/ML technology. Section 90004 of the bill allocates $6.17 billion for this effort, including the procurement and integration of new non-intrusive inspection equipment and associated civil works. This funding will support the deployment of autonomous and surveillance systems along the southern border, although no specific number for this investment is mentioned.

Maritime Systems

Improving the autonomy of uncrewed systems is a key priority across the DOD, and while some investments do not specifically mention AI/ML, autonomy increasingly relies on this technology. Section 20002 of the bill provides $188.4 million to develop and test maritime robotic autonomous systems and enabling technologies. Meanwhile, Subchapter V ensures the Coast Guard is not left out, providing $75 million to remain available until 2029 to procure autonomous maritime systems.

The DOD and other departments will receive significant funding for investments related to AI/ML. We also know from numerous public comments that the federal government will focus on testing and acquiring commercial solutions, so companies offering these solutions will find plenty of business opportunities in the years to come. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)?

A: The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a comprehensive piece of legislation that includes significant funding for various technology investments, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Q: How much funding is allocated for AI/ML in weapons production?

A: The OBBBA authorizes $250 million to advance the ‘artificial intelligence ecosystem’ of the DOD’s testing and development infrastructure and $250 million for U.S. Cyber Command to expand its AI/ML capabilities.

Q: What is the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program?

A: The BEAD Program, overseen by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), aims to improve broadband access and deployment. The OBBBA allocates $500 million to fund the NTIA’s AI/ML efforts under this program.

Q: How will AI/ML technology transform rural health care?

A: The OBBBA funds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with $25 million from FY 2028 to 2032 to provide training and technical assistance for the development and adoption of technology-enabled solutions, including AI and robotics, to improve care delivery in rural hospitals.

Q: What is the funding for border security using AI/ML technology?

A: The OBBBA allocates $6.17 billion for securing the nation’s borders using AI/ML technology, including the procurement and integration of new non-intrusive inspection equipment and associated civil works, and the deployment of autonomous and surveillance systems along the southern border. 

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