The United States Army Research Laboratory is investigating whether OpenAI’s generative AI solutions can aid in battle planning, albeit within the context of a military video game.
According to a report by The New Scientist on Wednesday, US Army researchers are employing OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo and GPT-4 Vision models to gather information regarding simulated battlefield terrain, friendly and enemy forces, and military strategies for attacking and defending. Additionally, they utilized two other AI models built on older technology. Subsequently, these AI assistants were tasked with a mission to eliminate all enemy forces and secure a strategic objective point.
Upon receiving the task, the AI assistants promptly generated numerous courses of action. Subsequently, a user, portraying the role of a commander, requested the model to refine its output. Although OpenAI’s GPT models outperformed the other two models, they also resulted in higher casualties while executing mission objectives.
As part of their broader strategy to leverage artificial intelligence, the US Army incorporates generative AI as just one aspect. Project Maven, the flagship AI initiative of the US Department of Defense, has successfully identified rocket launchers in Yemen, surface vessels in the Red Sea, and aided in refining targets for strikes in Iraq and Syria, as reported by Bloomberg in February.
However, the potential deployment of AI on battlefields raises numerous ethical concerns. Entrusting machines with decisions that could result in fatalities evokes comparisons to the Terminator movie series rather than the optimistic future envisioned by AI advocates. Despite these reservations, the military continues to pursue such technologies.
In March, DefenseScoop reported that the Pentagon requested billions of dollars from US lawmakers to enhance its artificial intelligence and networking capabilities. Additionally, the department has created Chief Digital and AI Officer positions to facilitate the adoption and dissemination of this technology throughout the organization.
