If the “resounding victory” of artificial intelligence-piloted F-16s over human pilots in a virtual dogfight is any indication, the United States would be at a battlefield disadvantage if China and Russia’s early investments in AI outpace the U.S. commitment.

“We must stay ahead of our near-peer rivals — namely China and Russia,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper declared at the Pentagon’s first Artificial Intelligence Symposium & Exposition Wednesday.