The Future of Artificial Intelligence in the Military

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently published the new strategy on using artificial intelligence in the military. Titled Harnessing AI to Advance Our Security and Prosperity, the strategy demonstrates a forward-thinking push to embrace and use technology in military applications.

The DoD said that the “key tenets of the strategy are accelerating the delivery and adoption of AI; establishing a common foundation for scaling AI's impact across DOD and enabling decentralized development and experimentation; evolving partnerships with industry, academia, allies and partners; cultivating a leading AI workforce; and leading in military AI ethics and safety.”

The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center

In 2018 the DoD established the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, or JIAC, to “accelerate the delivery of AI-enabled capabilities, scale the Department-wide impact of AI, and synchronize DoD AI activities to expand Joint Force advantages. This means that within the DoD, services will be working together to both develop and implement the way ahead for AI technology in the military.

Where will this funding come from, you may ask. According to the DoD-released fact sheet, that is still being considered. “The Department is identifying budget and resource impacts for the Fiscal Year 2020 budget,” it read. Within certain areas, the DoD has a lot of control over how their budget is spent, within certain parameters and direction set forward by the Executive branch.

What the Heck Does All of This Mean?

Well, the basics of the new strategy and key tenets focus on developing AI technology that leads the industry through coordinated effort with other non-military stakeholders that is both scalable and ethical.

This means that the military will most likely be looking to partner with outside entities to develop, test, and implement AI tech. The DoD specifically outlined industry (meaning commercial, non-military companies), academia (meaning universities and research teams), allies (meaning other countries) and partners (meaning everyone else who may be able to help).

What is certain is that this is a look to the future of warfighting technology. The military has historically been on the forefront of advanced technology—GPS, which began as an Air Force program, is now used by just about every smart device in America. With the added focus on AI, who knows what new technology is around the corner.