Inside the global push to weaponize AI

The next live-action sequel in the Terminator franchise could soon play out in real time. Around the world, militaries are increasingly turning their focus towards the development of lethal, AI-powered weapons for use on the battlefield.

Autonomous weapons of one kind or another, including heat-seeking missiles, have been around for decades. But in recent years, the development and use of AI algorithms has expanded their capabilities:

• The US military’s AI-controlled fighter jets are now “roughly even” in skill level compared to human pilots, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said last week.
• A wide range of commercially available drones can use AI image recognition to identify targets, human or otherwise, and blow them up.
• Outside of aircraft, military contractors have spent billions developing experimental submarines, tanks, ships, and other technology that use AI to pilot themselves and shoot – including a robot dog armed with a rifle.

AI’s emergence on the battlefield has sparked an ethical debate. Some researchers and experts argue that AI weapons are more accurate than human-guided ones, thereby reducing potential collateral damage – while others raise concerns about the ethics of leaving targeting decisions to algorithms that humans don’t yet fully understand.

👀 Looking ahead… The AI-arms race is on like Donkey Kong. In an attempt to keep pace with China’s spending in the area, a bipartisan group of US senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are currently considering a measure to dedicate a “very large” amount of funds toward AI-related defense initiatives.