Page 81 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - Febrary/March 2020 Edition

Use of Artificial Intelligence For Good 81

The Pentagon promises to

use artificial intelligence
for good, not evil

by Meghann Myers

The military has its eye on artificial intelligence
solutions to everything from data analysis to
surveillance, maintenance and medical care, but
before the Defense Department moves full
steam ahead into an AI future, they’re laying out
some ethical principles to live by.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper signed off
on five guidelines in a memo released Monday,
“The United States, together with our
allies and partners, must accelerate the adoption
of AI and lead in its national security
applications to maintain our strategic position,
prevail on future battlefields, and safeguard the
rules-based international order,” said Esper
wrote. “AI technology will change much about
the battlefield of the future, but nothing will working developing a tool for UH-60 Black
change America’s steadfast commitment to Hawk helicopter maintenance, he said, as well The ‘X’ Zone Broadcast Network
responsible and lawful behavior.” as some cyber defense technology and solutions www.XZBN.net
The list is the result of a 15-month study to make military health care more efficient.
by the Defense Innovation Board, which is made One past project, dubbed Maven, made
up of academics and executives in tech and headlines in 2018, when Gizmodo reported that MEET OUR HOSTS!
business, who presented their proposed Google had been quietly allowing DoD access to
principles in a public forum at Georgetown a software program that could use AI to
University in October. recognize objects in drone footage. • Dr. Bernie Beitman, MD
According to Esper’s Monday memo, Some Google employees were dismayed
the Pentagon pledges that its AI efforts will be: to find that their employer was potentially • Johanna Carroll
1) Responsible, 2) Equitable, 3) Traceable, 4) helping the military home in on human targets.
Reliable and 5) Governable. “We would be doing these AI ethics • Patti Conklin
In short, any technology’s development principles regardless of the angst in the tech
and operation should be carefully developed and industry,” Shanahan said. "And sometimes I • Kooch Daniels
used, have safeguards against bias in data think the angst is a little hyped, but we do have
analysis, be auditable to find the sources of people who have serious concerns about • Siegfried Drew
mistakes and correct them, have narrowly- working with the Department of Defense."
defined parameters for use and have back-up In hindsight, he said, secretly launching • Syndee Hendricks
plans for shut down in case something goes Project Maven would not line up with the new
wrong. ethics principles. • Thomas Hydes
“We owe it to the American people and “If we would have had the AI ethics
our men and women in uniform to adopt AI principles three years ago … and our starting • Hassan Jaffer
principles that reflect our nation’s values of a point with one of the big tech companies was
free and open society,” Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, that — and we were transparent about what we • Kal Korff
head of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, were trying to do and why we were trying to do
told reporters Monday. “This runs in stark it — maybe we would have had a different • Larry Lawson
contrast to Russia and China, whose use of AI outcome,” he said. []
tech for military purposes raises serious concern • Justina Marsh
about human rights, ethics and international
norms.” • Peter Marsh
China, for example, has used its facial
recognition AI technology to surveil its citizens’ • Rob McConnell
public activity.
“I do not believe … that China or Russia • Kimberlly McGeorge
are having any sort of conversation like we’re
having today,” Shanahan said, taking questions • Christa Nehls
from the press in a public broadcast.
The White House is scheduled to release • Dr. Kevin Randle, PhD
its own set of principles this summer, he said.
“Our intentions are clear: We will do what it • Joe Weigant
takes to ensure that the U.S. military lives up to
our nation’s ethical values while maintaining • Gwilda Wiyaka
and strengthening America’s technological
advantage,” Shanahan said. • Sharon Lynn Wyeth
DoD is at the “ground floor" of its AI
journey, according to Shanahan, so there are few
concrete examples of AI technology that will be Listen 24 / 7 / 365
subject to these principles. www.XZBN.net
The JAIC, his organization, has been