Military applications of artificial intelligence : ethical concerns in an uncertain world / Forrest E. Morgan, Benjamin Boudreaux, Andrew J. Lohn, Mark Ashby, Christian Curriden, Kelly Klima, Derek Grossman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Morgan, Forrest E., author.

Boudreaux, Benjamin, author.

Lohn, Andrew J., author.

Ashby, Mark, author.

Curriden, Christian, author.

Klima, Kelly, author.

Grossman, Derek, author.

Contributor:

Project Air Force (U.S.). Strategy and Doctrine Program.

Rand Corporation.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Air Force--Weapons systems.

United States.

United States. Air Force.

Weapons systems.

Artificial intelligence--Military applications.

Artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence--Moral and ethical aspects.

Physical Description:

xxii, 201 pages : color illustrations ; 28 cm

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, Calif. : RAND Corporation, [2020]

Summary:

The authors of this report examine military applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and consider the ethical implications. The authors survey the kinds of technologies broadly classified as AI, consider their potential benefits in military applications, and assess the ethical, operational, and strategic risks that these technologies entail. After comparing military AI development efforts in the United States, China, and Russia, the authors examine those states' policy positions regarding proposals to ban or regulate the development and employment of autonomous weapons, a military application of AI that arms control advocates find particularly troubling. Finding that potential adversaries are increasingly integrating AI into a range of military applications in pursuit of warfighting advantages, they recommend that the U.S. Air Force organize, train, and equip to prevail in a world in which military systems empowered by AI are prominent in all domains. Although efforts to ban autonomous weapons are unlikely to succeed, there is growing recognition among states that risks associated with military AI will require human operators to maintain positive control in its employment. Thus, the authors recommend that Air Force, Joint Staff, and other Department of Defense leaders work with the State Department to seek greater technical cooperation and policy alignment with allies and partners, while also exploring confidence-building and risk-reduction measures with China, Russia, and other states attempting to develop military AI. The research in this report was conducted in 2017 and 2018. The report was delivered to the sponsor in October 2018 and was approved for distribution in March 2020.

Contents:

Introduction

The Military Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Risks of Military Artificial Intelligence: Ethical, Operational, and Strategic

Military Artificial Intelligence in the United States

Military Artificial Intelligence in China

Military Artificial Intelligence in Russia

Assessment of U.S. Public Attitudes Regarding Military Artificial Intelligence

Findings and Recommendations

Appendix A: Expert Interviews: Methods, Data, and Analysis

Appendix B: Public Attitudes Survey: Methods, Data, and Analysis.

Notes:

"RAND Project AIR FORCE."

"Prepared for the United States Air Force."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-201).

Supersedes RAND/RR-3139-AF.

ISBN:

9781977404923

1977404928

9781977403100

1977403107

OCLC:

1157960700