The administration says it is taking the action to ensure American leadership in what it termed "industries of the future," which include 5G and other critical technologies.

With the support of the White House, the National Science Foundation's (NSF's) AI Research Institutes and the Department of Energy's (DOE's) QIS Research Centers will serve as hubs for innovation and research & development.

"Today, the Trump Administration is making an unprecedented investment to strengthen American leadership in AI and quantum, and to ensure the Nation benefits from these emerging technologies. Built upon the uniquely American free market approach to technological advancement, these institutes will be world-class hubs for accelerating American innovation and building the 21st century American workforce," said U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Michael Kratsios in a statement.

The technology chief said that such technologies were currently being used to fight the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus.