Not long ago, an old story led us to think that during a simulation test conducted by the US military this year, an AI-operated drone rebelled against its operator and even killed the operator who controlled the controller. The AI ignored the operator's instructions, believing that the person was hindering it from completing the task. However, this test was a mock test and did not actually cause injuries.
This old news immediately reminds of the plot of AI intelligent robot dogs hunting humans in the British drama "Black Mirror", and now it feels that it is not impossible to happen. And how desperate humans would be if they were hunted by militarized intelligent robots and robotic dogs or drones that day...
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, militarization is inevitable. AI will make military weapons more and more advanced. One of the most notable new devices is the Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (L.A.W.S.): machines designed to identify, approach, and destroy targets without human control. These should have been the content of military research and development for a long time, and I believe that no country will sit still.
As AI systems become more powerful and complex, the militarization of AI is bound to receive increasing attention. There are many risks in the militarization of artificial intelligence that will directly threaten people's safety and life, let's take a look at the risks we can currently foresee:
- Develop autonomous weapon systems that operate without human intervention: these systems, if out of control, are jammed and deceived and could pose a serious threat to civilians. If these systems are not properly controlled, they could be used to attack civilians or commit war crimes.
- AI will improve the accuracy and lethality of existing weapon systems: this could lead to an increase in casualties in war, and the escalation of weapons of war could mean greater costs to the other side, including civilian and armed casualties.
- AI surveillance systems that track and monitor civilians are even more pervasive: if information leaks and gets out of control, it will inevitably lead to the loss of dominance of people's privacy.
- Use artificial intelligence to manipulate public opinion and behavior: This can be used to wage psychological warfare or suppress dissent, causing a mental bombardment of harmful information for people in war zones, and information warfare will become more intense.
- Arms race: This has the potential to lead to an arms race as countries develop more advanced AI weapon systems. As nations race to develop the most powerful and destructive weapons, this could make the world a more dangerous place.
- Proliferation and misuse of AI weapons: If AI weapons become cheaper and more accessible, they risk spreading to non-state actors. This could make it easier for terrorist organizations and other rogue actors to acquire weapons that could pose a serious threat to global security. AI weapons can also be misused by governments or other actors, with irreversible consequences.
- Ethical and legal challenges of AI in warfare: The use of AI in warfare raises many ethical and legal challenges. For example, if an AI-powered weapon system fails and kills civilians, it's unclear who is responsible. In addition, it is not clear what the rules of war should be for AI weapon systems.
In fact, we can also think the other way around, it may also bring us some benefits, and it may really depend on who holds these weapons.
- Improve accuracy and lethality: AI-driven weapon systems can be more accurate and lethal than human-operated weapon systems. This could lead to fewer civilian casualties and a faster end to the war.
- Improve logistics: AI-driven logistics systems are more efficient and effective than human-operated systems. This could lead to better supply chain management and a more reliable flow of supplies to ground forces. Reduce battlefield attrition caused by material scarcity.
- Superintelligence: AI-driven intelligent systems can collect and analyze information faster and more efficiently than human operating systems. This could lead to better decision-making by military commanders and a more effective response to threats.
The militarization of artificial intelligence is a complex problem that is difficult to answer simply. It is important to have a thoughtful discussion about the militarization of AI so that we can shape its development in a safe and responsible way. In the future, we do not have to experience what the militarization of artificial intelligence will bring, and peace is the best well-being for mankind.
It is also important to remember that the militarization of AI is still in its early stages. AI can be used for both good and bad things, and we must not choke on food while also seeing the development of artificial intelligence in a broader field and help us get a better life.