AI dominated the conversation at Black Hat USA 2026, from wide-ranging explanations of risks faced today through to a vast array of presentations claiming that AI was, in some way, responsible for the cyberthreat plaguing us. The conference opened with keynotes followed by a fireside chat and a panel featuring mainly senior US government officials. First up was Sean Cairncross, the White House National Cyber Director, who set out the case that regulation of AI would both stifle innovation and development and struggle to keep pace with the speed at which AI is currently moving. It was clear from the discussion that there is an AI ownership race, with Mr. Cairncross claiming that “AI is a tremendous story of American innovation” and making various other comments on how America leads the world in this field. I am sure there are many of you who, like me, read this point of view with a shrug of the shoulders. The internet at large is a global resource that no individual, or group of people, can claim is their invention or innovation – and this is certainly true also for the rise of AI. During the opening talks there was even the mention of some companies that have been instrumental to the innovation of ‘AI made in America.’ One of the companies mentioned is based in London, which made the claim even more preposterous. Mr. Cairncross also noted that the US government is looking at ways to build a US open-source infrastructure that the rest of the world can benefit from. The future is one where all of us pull together to create a robust vision and strategy on how the emerging AI functionality can be used safely, efficiently, responsible and without risk. The second part of the opening keynote included Nick Andersen,