AI supremacy in war..
Continuing with the understanding of WWIII theme this week, we aim to highlight the battle for Artificial Intelligence (AI) supremacy, AI use in warfare and emerging threats in this era that will ultimately affect the public at large.
To give us context, AI encompasses big data, machine learning and multiple related technologies that allow machines to act in ways humans describe as “intelligent” when we do the same thing. For example, consider gps navigation apps that locate the best route through heavy traffic; Amazon’s creepy relevant product suggestions; or the programmed machines that now regularly defeat world masters in chess.
Today’s leading information technology companies—including the FAANGs (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google) and BATs (Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent)—are betting their R&D budgets on the AI revolution. As Amazon’s Jeff Bezos said this year, “We’re at the beginning of a golden age of AI.”
This golden age is mostly occupied by private firms and university researchers that have taken the lead in the discovery, deployment and development of various innovative technologies leaving governments and military establishments lagging behind to adopt and partner with the private sector products, thus giving them an upper hand.
While this is ongoing, developed nations are racing between themselves as the national security implications of AI supremacy will determine the next global hegemon. An insight worth contemplating on from the insightful book by Kai-Fu Lee in AI Superpowers and in Henry Kissinger’s book, “The Age of AI And Our Human Future.”
Many governments agree with this phenomenon as China’s AI development plan states that “AI has become a new focus of international competition” and “is a strategic technology that will lead in the future.”
The U.S. National Security Commission on AI also warned that “AI is deepening the threat posed by cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns that Russia, China, and others are using to infiltrate our society, steal our data, and interfere in our democracy.”
It is evident that China and the United States are in a race for AI supremacy, with both nations investing large sums into mastering AI capabilities that will give them an edge in the great power competition on the international stage.
Not to exclude other nations looking to crave out a position for themselves too..
Fast forwarding to the present, where we witness the rise of AI use in warfare and its use in the NATO proxy war a la Ukraine with Russia as an onset of WWIII.
Many questions and ethical concerns abound as to the safety, decision making capabilities and data mining..
Many of the imminent threats are yet to sip into mass public consciousness but I fear so much progress will be accomplished by governments before the public can sway their decision on the looming existential AI threat on the societal level e.g..
Ending on a positive note, New Zealand aims to bring attention to its ethical objection of delegating to machines the decision to take a human life. They are pushing to establish a legally-binding prohibitions on their use in warfare.
Watch this space closely..
See you tomorrow!
- Ope