US Defence Department Issues New Directive: Autonomy In Weapons Systems With AI Policy Guidance

The U.S. Defense Department released on January 25, 2023 its update on autonomous weapons to take into account AI's "increasing role" in warfare. The directive called, "Autonomy in Weapons Systems," includes clarifications and changes to account for a "dramatic, expanded vision for the role of artificial intelligence in the future of the American military," said Pentagon's Director of Emerging Capabilities Policy, Michael Horowitz.

The policy was an update from the 2012 directive which positioned the U.S. military focus on incorporating more advanced AI into its technology strategy. This directive:

• Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for developing and using autonomous and semiautonomous functions in weapon systems, including armed platforms that are remotely operated or operated by onboard personnel.
• Establishes guidelines designed to minimize the probability and consequences of failures in autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems that could lead to unintended engagements, and
• Establishes the Autonomous Weapon Systems Working Group.

The update, which is the first to the policy directive since 2012, cements the U.S. military's aim to incorporate more advanced AI and review that technology before it's used. There is also some guidance on ethical AI and the need to test and review AI systems before deployment which was good to see elevated.

The USA invests heavily into AI and recently passed a bill providing an investment of US$29 billion over 2022-2026 for emerging AI tech research and innovation and to be allocated for existing initiatives at US$52 billion for AI and machine learning along with US$1.5 billion for 5G R&D. The USA Pentagon to spend $874 million on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies in 2022 and this budget is up 50 percent over current-year levels.

Diverse applications can be applied in the military using AI, including: cybersecurity, warfare systems, logistics and transport, target recognition, warfare healthcare, threat monitoring & situational awareness, AI & data information processing, and combat simulation training.

There are many benefits of AI being used in the military including: better threat sensing detection systems, enhanced cybersecurity intelligence, reduces labour, increases recruitment, improves safety. The major cons would consistently be cost and AI lacks creativity.

So AI and humans will be working together in the military for a very long time as AI is not very good at planning ahead, according to many leading AI experts, like Yann Lecun, who I spoke to last week, and he referred to “AI is as smart as a cat.”

Sources:

1. DoD Responsible AI Working Council, “DoD Responsible Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Implementation Pathway,” June 21, 2022
2. Secretary of Defense Memorandum, “Artificial Intelligence Ethical Principles for the Department of Defense,” February 21, 2020