The US military has recently confirmed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify targets for air strikes in the Middle East. This revelation from a defense official sheds light on the growing use of advanced technology in combat operations.
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - JANUARY 11: In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, an RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off from RAF Akrotiri to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels on January 11, 2024 in Akrotiri, Cyprus. On Thursday evening, four RAF Typhoons launched from RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones. According to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the strikes were done to protect global shipping in the region.
AI Helped US Carry Out Air Strikes
Speaking with Bloomberg, Schuyler Moore, the chief technology officer for US Central Command, said AI-driven machine learning algorithms played a critical role in guiding more than 85 air strikes carried out by US bombers and fighter aircraft on February 2.
These strikes targeted seven facilities in Iraq and Syria, destroying or damaging rockets, missiles, drone storage, militia operations centers, and other targets.
The use of AI in military operations stems from development efforts under Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative launched in 2017. Project Maven aims to speed up the adoption of AI and machine learning technologies in the defense sector, particularly emphasizing improving intelligence capabilities to support combat operations.
Moore emphasized that AI systems have helped identify potential threats, such as rocket launchers in Yemen and surface vessels in the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi militias have launched rocket attacks on commercial shipping.
These advancements highlight the importance of AI in improving situational awareness and targeting accuracy in complex operational environments.
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Wargames and AI
However, concerns have been raised about the implications of AI deployment in military and diplomatic settings. Simulated exercises involving AI have revealed a preference for aggressive decision-making, including the use of nuclear weapons.
This emphasizes the importance of exercising caution and oversight when applying AI technologies to sensitive areas such as defense and foreign policy.
Despite the potential benefits of AI integration, there are still challenges to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of AI-driven systems. Moore emphasized the significance of human oversight in validating AI targeting recommendations, highlighting ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of errors or unintended escalation in military operations. "Every step that involves AI has a human checking in at the end," Moore said.
The use of AI in precision air strikes represents an eye-opening advancement in military technology and highlights the rapidly changing nature of modern warfare.
The Threat of AI
While AI technologies can improve military capabilities and provide some benefits, they also pose new risks and challenges. Experts advise people to be on high alert.
"Ultimately, the biggest threat we face with AI today is people, and we need the understanding, processes, platforms, and regulation to ensure that people develop and use AI responsibly and effectively," Kjell Carlsson, head of AI strategy for Domino Data Lab, said in an interview.
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