According to a report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the US Department of Defense has plans to develop over the next two years an extensive network of AI-powered technology, drones, and autonomous systems to keep pace with China's growing military capabilities. The WSJ added that Kathleen Hicks, the deputy secretary of defense, will deliver a speech on Wednesday to unveil some of the air, land, and sea capabilities that her department is looking to develop. The plan would include using AI in unmanned, self-reliant systems to detect and confront hostile targets, including autonomous air, land, and sea-based vehicles.

Why does it matter?

The intent of the Pentagon is to keep pace with Beijing's military advancements and address the perceived red tape issues to avoid advanced systems's development being hampered by the bureaucracy. As the US-China tech war intensifies, this evolution highlights the growing significance of AI in military planning and warfare operations. It also fuels the increasing rivalry between the two countries in the field of AI technologies.

dig.watchMicrosoft vice-chairman calls for human control over AI In a recent interview, Microsoft's president and vice-chairman, Brad Smith, warned about the weaponization of AI and stressed the importance of human control over the technology. Human supervision is particularly crucial when it comes to critical infrastructure and military applications. Read more .30 Aug 2023