The U.S. Army recently announced new initiatives aimed at safeguarding its troops and enhancing its ability to implement artificial intelligence (AI) successfully. These initiatives, known as “Break AI” and “Counter AI,” are designed to test evolving AI technologies for reliable use in the field and protect against adversarial use of AI against the U.S. The Army is not only focused on implementing AI across the military branch but also on developing it safely in collaboration with external parties. Young Bang, principal deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army’s ALT, emphasized the importance of addressing risks associated with AI, such as poisoned datasets and adversarial attacks, and highlighted the need to adopt third-party or commercial vendors’ algorithms into Army programs.
The Army recently completed a 100-day sprint to explore how to integrate AI into its acquisitions process. This effort aimed to develop AI algorithms internally while also working with trusted third parties to enhance security. The lessons learned from the sprint are now being used to test and secure AI implementation across the Army and strengthen defenses against adversarial AI usage. The “Break AI” initiative will focus on artificial general intelligence (AGI) technology, which aims to surpass human cognitive abilities. This technology presents challenges in testing and evaluation due to its unpredictable nature, requiring industry cooperation for development.
The second part of the Army’s 500-day plan, as explained by Jennifer Swanson, is to ensure the security of platforms, algorithms, and capabilities from attacks and threats, as well as counter the AI capabilities of adversaries. Given that other countries are also heavily investing in AI, the Army is working to stay ahead to protect national security interests. Specific details of the Army’s AI development efforts are not disclosed due to operational security concerns, but there will be information shared as progress is made. The goal is to develop AI capabilities that are robust and secure, capable of countering threats while ensuring military readiness.
The Army’s approach to AI development underscores the importance of collaboration with industry partners and third-party vendors to access cutting-edge algorithms and technologies. By incorporating external expertise, the Army can accelerate its AI capabilities while ensuring robust security measures are in place. This collaborative effort will help address the challenges of testing and evaluating AI, particularly as technologies like AGI evolve and become more sophisticated. The Army’s focus on secure and responsible AI implementation reflects its commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for military operations while mitigating risks associated with adversarial AI usage.
As the Army navigates the complex landscape of AI development and deployment, it remains committed to safeguarding its personnel and national security interests. Initiatives like “Break AI” and “Counter AI” demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technologies. By leveraging expertise from within the military and external partners, the Army aims to enhance its AI capabilities and stay ahead of potential adversaries in the fast-evolving field of AI. The ongoing efforts to develop secure and reliable AI systems for military applications reflect the Army’s commitment to innovation and readiness in the modern era of warfare.
