The U.S. military is looking to integrate private-sector AI algorithms into its operations to improve efficiency and productivity, but the military is clearly concerned about the ongoing security risks associated with the technology.
Speaking at the recent AWS Summit in Washington DC, Young Bang, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, emphasized how more efficient it is to implement existing AI tools rather than create new tools from scratch.
The US military is reportedly most excited about the technology’s potential to handle its vast data reserves, which can process vast amounts of data in seconds.
US military wants to use off-the-shelf AI
Of the six branches of the U.S. armed forces, the military is the most prolific user of AI and algorithms, driven by its data-rich environment. This data dependence underscores its desire to speed up processing and handling with a nifty injection of AI.
Despite the clear benefits of AI, the transition is not without challenges. Security concerns, including bias, hallucinations, and the possibility of data compromise, must be carefully considered.
That’s why the military plans to turn to the private sector for input on solutions, rather than addressing the risks internally.
Bang summed it up for the AWS audience this way: “This is the military saying we need your help.”
While specific details about the timeline of the request for information are still unclear, a spokesperson confirmed with Washington Technology that a series of requests would follow in the coming months.
While the U.S. military has a knack for “doing certain things very well,” Bang suggested that the private sector is best equipped to help in this scenario.
As work continues to automate a number of processes within the U.S. military, the force continues to evaluate and address barriers to adoption in preparation for the day commercial AI is deployed in the U.S. military.