Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks at present spoke in regards to the Defense Department’s dedication to being a world chief in forging sound moral insurance policies for army use of synthetic intelligence.
Hicks’ remarks had been broadcast remotely on the Responsible Synthetic Intelligence in Defense Discussion board in Washington.
“During the last dozen years, as advances in machine studying yielded new breakthroughs, we have labored arduous on the Pentagon to be a worldwide chief in establishing accountable insurance policies for army use of autonomous techniques and AI,” Hicks stated.
She then identified DOD has recently doubled down on that dedication, and that the Pentagon’s management has been in a position to get in entrance of implementing an govt order that President Joe Biden issued nearly one 12 months in the past to the day on secure, safe and reliable AI.
“In consequence, our AI is extra resilient and efficient than ever,” Hicks stated.
Hicks additionally identified that, since 2021, DOD has not solely accelerated the drive towards a extra data-driven, modernized and AI-empowered U.S. army; but it surely has additionally affirmed an adherence to moral AI rules, up to date DOD responsible-use insurance policies and directives, and issued new methods, pointers, guardrails and sensible toolkits and apps.
“We’re glad these sources are actually utilized by many outdoors DOD; like different U.S. businesses, worldwide allies and companions, and main tech corporations,” Hicks stated.
She then introduced that nearly 60 nations — together with the U.S. — presently endorse the Political Declaration on Responsible Army Use of Synthetic Intelligence and Autonomy.
That doc, launched in February 2023 on the Responsible AI within the Army Area Summit within the Hague, “goals to construct worldwide consensus round accountable habits and information states’ growth, deployment and use of army AI,” in accordance to the declaration’s web site.
“I am unable to overstate the significance of this work,” Hicks stated. “As a result of our values not solely carry us collectively; they set us aside from our strategic opponents.”
Stating that DOD has all the time been guided by an understanding that AI can solely be helpful and efficient the place it’s each trusted and reliable, Hicks cautioned that the Defense Department cannot fall behind within the adoption of high quality AI.
Hicks then appealed to these attending the discussion board, saying that they’re wanted to assist maintain DOD within the lead with AI.
“Not simply with velocity and safety, but additionally security,” she stated.
“Not simply quickly, but additionally responsibly,” she continued. “We do not have the posh of selecting one aspect or the opposite. It has to be each.”