Artificial intelligence will 'replace' pilots in fighter jets by 2024, US defense minister has revealed USA Mark Esper on Wednesday.
The Pentagon announced the plan a month after an AI system "destroyed" an Air Force pilot in a virtual battle. A algorithm developed by defense contractor Heron Systems managed to achieve the best dogfight with an F-16 pilot wearing a VR helmet.
The new tests will be performed to see how the possibilities of AI in the real world, Esper explained Wednesday at the Pentagon's first AI Symposium:
The AI agent's resounding victory demonstrated the ability of advanced algorithms to outwit humans in virtual battles. These simulations will culminate in a real world including real aircraft in 2024. To be clear, AI's role in our mortality is to support those in charge λήψηof decisions and not to replace them. We see AI as a tool to free up resources, time and manpower so people can focus on higher priority tasks and get to the decision point, from the lab or the battlefield, faster and more accurately than the competition .
Esper gave a few details on how AI can be used in battle and it is safe to assume that AI will not shoot pilots in the sky alone.
A DARPA spokesman told Breaking Defense that some of the tests would be done between AI and people without AI, while others would be between two AI-human groups.
"Pilots will have higher cognitive combat management tasks, while their aircraft will have sensors that will measure their attention and stress to assess how much they trust AI"
All of this, according to Esper, will help the US maintain its military superiority over China and Russia.
He noted that Moscow is already developing artificial intelligence systems for ground vehicles, aircraft, nuclear submarines, while Chinese arms manufacturers are selling autonomous aircraft that they say can carry out deadly targeted strikes.
Esper claims that the US is using artificial intelligence to protect its constitution and the rights of its citizens, despite record of its use technologys for mass monitoring and predictive policing. Abroad, he said the Pentagon will promote the adoption of artificial intelligence in line with the values the US shares with its allies.
Although they have pledged to use AI to keep the peace, their plans suggest the age of deadly, autonomous weapons is approaching.