People still make the final decision, but recent raids in Iraq and Syria had help

The US Department of Defense has deployed machine learning algorithms to identify targets in over 85 air strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria this year.

The Pentagon has done this sort of thing since at least 2017 when it launched Project Maven, which sought suppliers capable of developing object recognition software for footage captured by drones. Google pulled out of the project when its own employees revolted against using AI for warfare, but other tech firms have been happy to help out.

  • BuelldozerA
    23•4 months ago

    Couple of important things to point out:

    1. “The object recognition algorithms are used to identify potential targets. Humans then operate weapons systems.” So AI isn’t finding a target and then firing on it’s own. It’s using AI Vision Systems to locate and prioritize targets, firing authority remains with the platform operator.
    2. Ukraine is already doing this with their drones, I was watching a video feed of it just last night, thanks Binkov!
    • @tal
      10•4 months ago

      Every time we see articles like this, I’d point out that Phalanx CIWS can and does operate in a fully-autonomous mode, without a human in the loop to authorize firing. That’s been around since 1980.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_CIWS

      An entirely self-contained unit, the mounting houses the gun, an automated fire-control system and all other major components, enabling it to automatically search for, detect, track, engage, and confirm kills using its computer-controlled radar system. Owing to this self-contained nature, Phalanx is ideal for support ships, which lack integrated targeting systems and generally have limited sensors.

      The only inputs required for operation are 440 V AC three-phase electric power at 60 Hz and water (for electronics cooling).