AI-powered wireless networks are set to transform global communications and position the United States as a leader in the next era of technology. The upcoming 6G networks will be the first to be designed from the ground up with artificial intelligence at their core, enabling a new class of intelligent, responsive, and secure systems. Unlike previous generations that focused primarily on connectivity, 6G will integrate AI capabilities directly into the network architecture, allowing it to sense, infer, and act in real time at the edge. This shift marks a fundamental evolution in telecommunications. While 1G enabled analog voice, 2G introduced text messaging, 3G powered early smartphones, 4G delivered mobile broadband, and 5G increased speed and capacity, 6G will go beyond data transmission to support AI-driven applications at scale. These include autonomous vehicles, smart cities, precision agriculture, collaborative robotics, and AI agents embedded in everyday devices. With hundreds of billions of AI-powered endpoints expected, 6G networks will serve as the backbone for a globally interconnected intelligence layer. A key initiative driving this transformation is the AI-Native Wireless Networks (AI-WIN) project led by NVIDIA and a coalition of U.S. companies. The goal is to develop a high-performance, secure, and open 6G solution built on American technology, ensuring that the U.S. regains leadership in global communications infrastructure. There are five major advantages to building AI into 6G networks from the start. First, AI-native 6G enables AI services to be delivered directly at the network edge. This means AI inference—processing tasks like image recognition or natural language understanding—can happen close to users, reducing latency and improving performance for applications like smart glasses, real-time video streaming, and drone control. Second, AI dramatically improves efficiency. With limited spectrum available, AI algorithms can optimize every bit of bandwidth, significantly increasing capacity and user experience. AI also reduces energy consumption across the network and automates operations through agentic AI, enhancing reliability and lowering costs. Third, 6G networks powered by AI unlock new revenue streams for telecom operators. By leveraging AI inference workloads on existing infrastructure, carriers can generate additional income—estimates suggest up to $5 in AI revenue for every $1 invested in AI-enhanced radio access networks. Excess network capacity can be used simultaneously for both connectivity and AI processing. Fourth, the shift to software-defined infrastructure allows wireless networks to evolve rapidly without constant hardware upgrades. A unified software stack can run both traditional telecom services and AI applications, enabling faster innovation and greater flexibility. This model reduces capital expenditure and opens the door for broader participation in network development. Fifth, AI enhances cybersecurity across the entire network. With billions of connected devices, traditional security methods are insufficient. AI-driven systems can detect and respond to threats in real time, identifying anomalies across devices, edge nodes, and cloud platforms. This is essential for protecting critical infrastructure like self-driving vehicles and industrial automation systems. As global standards for 6G begin to take shape, international competitors are already advancing their own AI-integrated networks. The U.S. has a unique opportunity to lead by building an open, transparent, and secure AI-native 6G ecosystem. By investing in homegrown technology and fostering collaboration across industry, academia, and government, the U.S. can ensure that the future of global communications is built on trusted, American innovation.