Pentagon launches office to fast-track AI in military strategy
The United States Department of Defense has announced the creation of a new office dedicated to adapting artificial intelligence (AI) technology for military purposes. The goal is to "integrate" autonomous weapons into the army as quickly as possible.
On Wednesday, 11 December, the Pentagon unveiled the establishment of this new office, tasked with implementing AI technology into military systems. The United States Department of Defense aims to significantly accelerate the development of autonomous weapons, reports thehill.com.
The United States plans to "integrate" thousands of AI-powered autonomous drones into the military as part of the Replicator initiative. Another project involves developing defence systems to counteract such devices.
The US government is committed to funding research, acknowledging the potential threat to national security should these technologies fall into the hands of Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea.
Millions of dollars for the weapons of the future
As previously mentioned, the Pentagon will allocate around $100 (€95) million for work on AI technology implementation in the military over the years 2024 and 2025. For now, these efforts are at the experimental stage. The Department of Defense also intends to collaborate with smaller companies, allocating an additional $40 (€39) million for this purpose.
The focus is not only on the creation of autonomous weapons but also on developing tools to enhance the efficiency of military operations.
