As autonomous weapons systems, sometimes called killer robots, move closer towards becoming a logistically feasible option for governments around the world, they are also generating increasing controversy. More than 2,400 researchers from 170 different organizations called this week for a worldwide ban on autonomous weapons. "Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to play an increasing role … Continue reading As experts urge caution, military pushes aggressive A.I. agenda
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In 2016, after giving the matter "thoughtful consideration," tech executive Eric Schmidt told the public they should "stop freaking out" about potential pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Schmidt recently announced his resignation from the chairmanship of Google's parent company Alphabet, though he's apparently continuing in roles not only as an Alphabet board member, but heading the … Continue reading Google involvement in drone A.I. project revealed
Elon Musk, the billionaire co-founder of PayPal, made headlines in August for joining a group of leading artificial intelligence experts in calling on the United Nations to ban fully autonomous weapons systems, sometimes referred to as killer robots. Yet a recent report on another Musk venture, Tesla, Inc., highlights the somewhat contradictory nature of his … Continue reading Elon Musk should call for a ban on self-driving Teslas
Despite growing concerns from experts and the public about the security of increasingly interconnected machine networks and the potential dangers of artificial intelligence leading to "killer robot" technology, top military strategists are pushing forward with ambitious plans to vastly expand the Defense Department's concept of "network centric warfare." In a recent article on the Pentagon's … Continue reading The Pentagon’s classified plan to create Skynet
An artificial intelligence arms race seems to be officially underway following Russian President Vladimir Putin's comment last week that whoever comes to dominate the field "will be the ruler of the world." This is one area, at least, where top U.S. policymakers can apparently agree with Putin. The military and the Central Intelligence Agency are … Continue reading CIA, DoD eager to tap AI capabilities they don’t understand
Several robot manufacturers were warned earlier this year of vulnerabilities in the security of their products, but most of the problems have yet to be fixed, the researchers who identified them say, according to Reuters. "In this research, we focused on home, business, and industrial robots, in addition to robot control software used by … Continue reading Robot makers haven’t fixed security flaws, researchers say
It's been a busy year in the world of robotics and the politics surrounding it, the latest development coming in the form of potentially conflicting comments from two Pentagon officials hinting at what the future of an international killer robot ban -- or lack thereof -- might look like. Not only has the job-killing potential … Continue reading DoD officials offer conflicting hints on killer robot policy
As the U.S. military pushes forward with ambitious artificial intelligence initiatives, those responsible can't seem to resist describing them in unsettling terms. Col. Drew Cukor, a project manager for the new "Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team" (AWCFT) established in April, this week enthusiastically compared recent AI developments to the advent of the atomic bomb during a … Continue reading AI rivals nukes, DoD algorithmic warfare team leader says
Despite recent comments from leading military technologists claiming that the Pentagon isn't or shouldn't be pursuing autonomous killer robot technology, research it has simultaneously been funding seems to suggest otherwise. "Without even realizing it, soldiers could soon be training robot sharpshooters to take their jobs," writes Patrick Tucker, technology editor for Defense One, in a … Continue reading Military harnessing brainwaves to teach AI to ID targets
Last week at an Air Force Association event, William Roper, head of the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office, shared some of his thoughts on artificial intelligence, and the role he envisions for it in the next major war. Except that the outbreak of this hypothetical future conflict "shouldn’t look like war at all," as Defense … Continue reading DoD officials deny ‘general AI’ plans they admire tech companies for working on
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