On January 9, 2024, according to US media reports, a senior Pentagon policy** said on the same day that the Department of Defense is making a leap forward in deploying cutting-edge technologies through strategic and joint efforts to improve artificial intelligence capabilities.
Michael C., deputy assistant secretary of defense for force development and emerging capabilitiesHorowitz said key organizational and strategic updates have allowed the Department of Defense to improve its ability to effectively deploy new tactics and technologies, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence.
"If you imagine, a range of activities ranging from technology investment to deployment capabilities, this leadership within the Department of Defense has rolled out new initiatives in every part of the continuum," he said at an AI policy symposium hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. ”
Horowitz also mentioned the Defense Department's investments in research, development, testing, and evaluation, as well as new initiatives to accelerate experimentation within the Defense Department. "It's all across the waterfront," Horowitz said, "and we've launched programs designed to increase our adoption, and I think we're really starting to see their payoff." ”
An autonomous drone specialist performs pre-flight procedures on an unmanned aerial system at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on October 26, 2023.
We must be soberly aware that artificial intelligence is an important driving force for a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. With the blessing, implantation, and application of artificial intelligence in various fields in the United States, especially artificial intelligence in the military field, it may bring about a "mutation" in the military scientific and technological revolution, which will greatly improve the combat effectiveness of the US military, and rapidly widen the gap with the world's leading forces, and even trigger changes in the form of future wars. There is no doubt that whoever first has the "artificial intelligence armament" will have the ability to reduce the dimensionality of the enemy.
To the best of my knowledge, the United States has maintained a strong and sustained investment in AI "arming" the military in recent years, as it is "a key part of the U.S. strategy to build lasting military superiority." U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Carlin said: The Department of Defense's fiscal year 2024 budget includes $145 billion in research and development and $170 billion in procurement, which clearly demonstrates its commitment to staying ahead of the curve, "which is a large percentage of the $842 billion budget (37.]).4%), I would like to point out, this is the largest commitment ever made in these areas. These investments in advanced technology, as well as the Defense Department's ability to leverage U.S. allies, are critical to deterring and preventing future conflicts, she said.
Back in September 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense dedicated the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) to "accelerate the Department of Defense's adoption of AI from the boardroom to the battlefield through the CDO, and we are providing decision-making advantages to Defense Department leaders and service members in a way they have never experienced." ”
In November 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense released its strategy to accelerate the adoption of advanced AI capabilities to ensure U.S. warfighters maintain a decision-making advantage on the battlefield for years to come.
An autonomous drone system is tested in a 10x robotic and AI-equipped foot infantry platoon mission scenario at FT on July 28, 2022.
The reason why the United States spends huge sums of money on artificial intelligence to "arm" its military is very clear, that is, to deal with China. In fact, they have never been secretive, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Ely Ratner testified before a House of Representatives that the Department of Defense clearly sees the PRC's challenge to the rules-based international order and has for years viewed China as a "step challenge" for the United States, and that "China is the only country in the world that has both the will and the growing ability to reshape the international order in a way that seriously undermines vital U.S. interests." The Department of Defense has developed strategies, doctrines, policies, and resources to counter China, including "arming" the military with artificial intelligence.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John C. Aquilino (John C. Aquilino)"They (China) are very clearly committed to building a force capable of competing with the United States," Aquilino said, "We should look at China and really understand what they're doing, what they're doing — the largest military buildup since World War II, both conventional and strategic, and we've been looking to drive innovation across the Department of Defense, especially in this era of enduring strategic competition with the People's Republic of China," "While the Department of Defense is always in dire need of innovation, But there is no doubt that this urgent need has become more urgent in recent years. ”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made it clear that "we will continue to act boldly to modernize our excellent military, which is the foundation of deterrence and our ability to win in future conflicts." ”
The author is a special researcher of Kunlunce Research Institute, and the original publication of Kunlunce Research Institute).