This study aims to examine and analyze the role of AI in the foreign policy and national security of the United States during the period 2021–2025. The main research question is: What role has AI played in shaping U.S. foreign policy and national security, and how can this role be explained within the framework of great power competition, particularly with China? The theoretical framework of the study is based on neorealism in international relations, which emphasizes the anarchic structure of the international system, the competition for survival, and the pursuit of relative power by states. The research adopts a qualitative, descriptive–analytical approach, employing qualitative content analysis and trend analysis. Data were collected through the review of official U.S. government documents, think tank reports, and scholarly sources. Findings indicate that AI has become an integral part of U.S. foreign policy, utilized in areas such as cybersecurity, international narrative-building, digital diplomacy, and intelligent military operations. By enhancing data processing and analysis capabilities, AI has improved the accuracy and speed of strategic decision-making and enabled the creation of targeted diplomatic messages tailored to the cultural and social contexts of different audiences. Furthermore, the establishment of specialized institutions and the collaboration among government agencies, technology companies, and think tanks have facilitated the systematic integration of AI into U.S. foreign policy-making processes. the results suggest that AI is not merely a technological tool, but a core pillar of U.S. national power and a decisive factor in shaping the country’s international behavior in the current decade.