Velutini Says America Needs National AI Strategy Now
Finance leader urges federal action to ensure U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence and economic innovation
April 2025 | Washington, D.C. — As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, governments, and global markets, renowned international finance strategist Julio Herrera Velutini is urging U.S. policymakers to adopt a comprehensive National AI Investment Strategy. His message: if the United States fails to act decisively and cohesively, it risks falling behind in what he calls “the defining technology race of the century.”
Speaking at the National Innovation Leadership Summit, Herrera Velutini laid out a bold plan to integrate AI into America’s economic strategy—not just through regulation, but with targeted investment, smart partnerships, and national coordination that drives innovation from lab to market.
“Artificial intelligence is the new electricity,” Herrera Velutini said. “It will transform every sector, every industry, every job. But transformation without strategy leads to chaos—and opportunity without investment leads to lost leadership.”
🤖 The Case for Urgency
Herrera Velutini’s call to action comes at a time when nations across the world are racing to stake their claim in the future of AI. China has pledged over $150 billion toward AI research and commercialization by 2030. The European Union is implementing continent-wide governance frameworks and digital infrastructure investments. Even smaller countries like Singapore and the UAE are deploying AI master plans to compete globally.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., progress has been more fragmented. While private sector innovation is flourishing—driven by companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, and Google—federal coordination has lagged. Research funding remains scattered across agencies, and there is no unified investment mechanism aimed at scaling U.S.-based AI innovation.
“America led the internet era because it had both public vision and private ambition,” Herrera Velutini noted. “We need the same formula for AI—urgently.”
🧠 Building the Strategy: Key Pillars of National AI Investment
Julio Herrera Velutini’s proposed National AI Investment Strategy rests on five key pillars, each designed to ensure the U.S. not only remains competitive, but leads responsibly in this rapidly evolving space.
1. Federal AI Investment Fund (FAIIF)
Modeled on successful sovereign innovation funds, Herrera Velutini proposes the creation of a $100 billion Federal AI Investment Fund over the next decade. This public-private investment vehicle would:
➤ Provide seed and growth capital to U.S.-based AI startups
➤ Support commercialization of academic research
➤ Co-invest in critical AI infrastructure like data centers and quantum computing
The fund would be governed by an independent board and operate with full transparency, targeting technologies that align with national priorities in health, defense, energy, and education.
2. National AI Research Superclusters
To bridge the gap between lab breakthroughs and commercial application, Herrera Velutini proposes creating AI Research Superclusters—geographic hubs where government funding, university research, and private investment are integrated under one roof.
These clusters would serve as innovation accelerators, housing advanced computing resources, regulatory sandboxes, and incubators for deep-tech startups.
“Think Silicon Valley meets the National Labs—coordinated, focused, and mission-driven,” he said.
3. AI-Ready Infrastructure and Data Policy
According to Herrera Velutini, the U.S. must invest in the physical and digital infrastructure needed to support AI at scale. This includes:
➤ Expanding 5G/6G coverage to support real-time data applications
➤ Modernizing cloud and edge computing capabilities
➤ Developing federal data-sharing frameworks that make anonymized government data available for training ethical AI models
He stressed that responsible innovation starts with accessible, diverse, and secure data ecosystems.
4. Workforce Development and AI Inclusion
Herrera Velutini emphasized that no AI strategy is complete without preparing the workforce. He proposes a National AI Skills Initiative to:
➤ Train 1 million American workers in AI-related roles by 2030
➤ Fund AI curricula at community colleges and public universities
➤ Create retraining programs for workers in disrupted industries
“AI must be a tool for inclusion, not a trigger for inequality,” he said. “Training must keep pace with technology.”
5. Ethical AI Governance and National Standards
Recognizing the risks of unchecked AI deployment, Herrera Velutini calls for the creation of a National Council on AI Ethics and Accountability, tasked with:
➤ Establishing clear guidelines for algorithmic transparency and fairness
➤ Certifying safety in high-risk applications (e.g., healthcare, finance, criminal justice)
➤ Working with international bodies to shape a shared global AI framework
He argues that “ethical leadership is a competitive advantage” and that trust in AI is essential to its adoption.
💼 Economic Impact and Investment Potential
According to data shared at the summit, AI could add up to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy by 2030, with the U.S. well-positioned to claim a large portion—if it acts fast. Herrera Velutini estimates that a strategic federal investment plan could:
➤ Create over 2 million high-paying jobs in AI development and implementation
➤ Spur $500 billion in private investment through capital leverage
Establish the U.S. as the global standard-setter for responsible AI
“The returns are not just economic—they are geopolitical,” he added. “This is about securing America’s place in the future.”
📉 The Risks of Inaction
Without a coordinated strategy, Herrera Velutini warned that the U.S. risks falling into a cycle of innovation dependency, where key AI infrastructure, chips, and platforms are controlled by foreign competitors.
He also emphasized the societal risks of under-regulated AI: job displacement, bias, misinformation, and national security vulnerabilities.
“Leadership in AI is not optional. It’s foundational,” he stated. “We must invest with vision and act with urgency.”
US - A Call to Congress: Make AI a National Priority
Herrera Velutini concluded his remarks with a direct appeal to Congress: pass a National AI Investment and Innovation Act in 2025. This legislation, he argues, should include:
➤ The creation of the Federal AI Investment Fund
➤ Tax incentives for AI R & D and domestic AI manufacturing
➤ A framework for AI workforce development and STEM inclusion
➤ Ethics and safety certification mandates for AI systems
He pledged to work with bipartisan coalitions, think tanks, and financial institutions to shape and support the initiative.
🌟 A Vision for AI Leadership
For Julio Herrera Velutini, the moment is bigger than technology—it’s about national renewal. He sees artificial intelligence as a catalyst for progress in healthcare, education, energy, transportation, and public safety. But he insists that this progress must be guided by smart investment, ethical standards, and a commitment to public good.
“AI is the next great infrastructure,” he said. “Let’s build it wisely. Let’s lead the world—not follow.”