The U.S. needs to tackle the challenges of adapting artificial intelligence systems for modern warfare, much like the “titans of industry” transformed Detroit into an “arsenal of democracy” during World War II, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said yesterday.
“Mastering artificial intelligence will require similar vision, ambition and commitment,” Esper said at a conference hosted by the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. “We need the full force of American intellect and ingenuity working in harmony across the public and private sectors.”
Artificial Intelligence, sometimes called “machine learning,” refers to advanced computer algorithms that can use data to “learn” and therefore make choices without human input. Last week, a Pentagon advisory board released proposed guidelines for the ethical deployment of AI-enabled weapons on the battlefield.
In a wide-ranging address, Esper noted that China aims to be the world leader in AI by 2030, and has begun to develop autonomous vehicles, including unmanned submarines and advanced aerial drones, and is moving “aggressively to deploy them across many warfighting domains.”
Elsewhere in the speech, Esper recounted an episode from 2014, when Russia used AI against Ukrainian forces.
“Coming off recent successes against Russian-backed forced, the Ukrainian battalions were eagerly preparing a final push to the border,” Esper said. “Suddenly they noticed the hum of Russian UAV’s overheard, followed by cyberattacks against their command and control and communication systems. Immediately after, a flurry of Russian artillery rained down on them.
“The whole episode lasted just a few minutes, but it inflicted tremendous damage,” said Esper. “Dozens of soldiers were killed, hundreds more were wounded, most of their armored vehicles were destroyed. The Ukrainian offensive came to a devastating halt, all in a matter of minutes.”
The episode marked a new era of warfare, Esper said. “It’s clear the threats of tomorrow are no longer the ones we have faced and defeated in the past. Advances in AI have the potential to change the character of warfare for generations to come.”
Whichever nation best harnesses AI will establish battlefield advantage for years to come, Esper said. “We have to get there first.”
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