Demystifying AI in the DoD

In October, Brandon Bean, solutions director of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, Virginia, shared his thoughts with the chapter on AI and where it's headed for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Bean defined AI as any machine capable of rapidly reaching a conclusion that a human would come to using logic, time and reason. He talked about the first military application in the 1950s when the U.S. Navy had been using natural AI to help decipher communications. Bean clarified how many of us have used AI because it helps search engines when performing queries. Bean talked about OpenAI developing AI Chatbots to increase productivity through writing essays and code. Bean reiterated how AI has been used in the DoD for decades. He touched on basic what-if scenarios. For example, what if I could get 10 more minutes out of my day? Or what if we had to do more with less? He emphasized that we don't want to temper our AI expectations based on actual AI involvement. Bean discussed how humans will always be in the loop with respect to AI.

For military application, the soldiers who use AI will receive the advantages, whereas those who do not will not. Bean also touched on the rules of AI. AI must be able to learn, reason and solve problems. Bean mentioned there are six primary applications for AI in defense: knowledge management; autonomous systems; training solutions; intelligence analysis; cybersecurity; and logistics supply chain. Bean concluded by pointing out that generative AI risks can affect ethical issues and risks surrounding data privacy, security, policies and workforces.

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