The Pentagon Makes Plans for Increased Role of AI in Warfare

The Defense Department is well aware of the rapid rise of autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence. As a result, it’s updating its automated weapons directive for the first time in more than a decade in order to guide development of new systems..

The updated directive sets out the new framework. “Autonomy in Weapon Systems.” Effective Wednesday, January 25, 2019, the framework has been updated “the dramatic, expanded vision for the role of artificial intelligence in the future of the American military,” According to Michael Horowitz, the Pentagon’s Director of Emerging Capabilities Policy.

Horowitz stated to reporters Wednesday that the new version only has a single page. “relatively minor clarifications and refinements” — namely creating clear oversight and advisory bodies to ensure ethical research and development — but a directive update was necessary due to the increased use of autonomous weapons systems in the U.S. military and other armed forces around the world.

It is an important update in this regard. 2012 was the last time that the Department of Defense issued a guidance document on artificial intelligence. Since then, the field has significantly grown, with autonomous or semi-autonomous weapons systems becoming  major elements in modern warfare. Drone systems As the use of reconnaissance and other systems has become an essential part of war, so have these systems. Amphibious attack drones Automatic guns for technicals as demonstrated in the conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. military is also looking at weapons that could be used in the war in Ukraine. Disabling an enemy drone systems.

At the same time, the Pentagon’s own bureaucracy has evolved with new technologies; many of the offices that the department has stood up to address autonomy and AI in defense  are newer than the 2012 guidelines, and the 2023 directive formally integrates them into policy. Those include the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, which is tasked with coming up with requirements to implement the Pentagon’s AI Ethical Principles. 

Subscribe to Task & purpose Today. Daily updates, entertainment, news and gear for the military sent directly to your inbox.

This policy is updated to provide a framework for how military researchers and developers of AI systems will proceed. Horowitz said that there is no prohibited weapon. Telled Breaking Defense Other than updating development responsibilities, the policy also creates “guidelines designed to minimize the probability and consequences of failures in autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems that could lead to unintended engagements.” 

It also creates the Autonomous Weapon Systems Working Group, headed by Dr. Colin Kahl (Under Secretary of Defense for Policy), which will advise the Pentagon leadership on autonomous technologies. It’s to create “good governance,” Horowitz said Breaking Defense. 

While the framework aims to improve the study and understanding of semi-autonomous autonomous systems, it must also be used for research purposes. “be designed to allow commanders and operators to exercise appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force.”

Artificial intelligence is still in its infancy and the military continues to develop ways to integrate it into military units. These include tests to build robotic wingmen for Air Force pilots. Combat collaborative aircraft project Test how troops can evade detection Computers. 

This week, the Pentagon declared a Partnering for $12 Million with Howard University to conduct research for the Air Force’s tactical autonomy program, which aims to develop systems which require minimal human engagement or oversight. 

While the Pentagon is enthusiastic about autonomous systems right now, it seems that it would prefer to remain Skynet.

Get the latest news on Task & Purpose

You want to write for Task & Purpose Click here. 

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases