AI Proven Useful by STRATCOM Leader, Yet Cautions Against Expecting AI to Simulate Scenes Like 'WarGames'
Chatty AI: Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, the boss hog of US Strategic Command, ain't got no plans to recreate the chaos from the 80s flick, "WarGames." In simpler terms, he's all about using artificial intelligence (AI) to sift through oceans of data concerning America's nuclear arsenal, but the call on those nuclear nuggets will still be made by a flesh-and-blood being.
At a CSIS soiree on the 19th of November, he made it clear as day that no "WOPR" control room will ever grace the STRATCOM headquarters. Remember "WarGames"? That flick featured a nasty AI program called WOPR residing at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado. It was the AI that everyone was scared stiff about. Well, there's no "WOPR" at STRATCOM headquarters, and thankfully, there never will be.
Just a few days prior, Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping had a chinwag in Peru, agreeing on the importance of keeping a lid on humanity's fingers on the atomic buttons. Indeed, the White House piped up about this very subject.
Last month, Cotton let rip at a conference that AI would beef up our decision-making prowess. However, he warned that AI should never call the shots. This statement triggered a whirlwind of panic and criticism online, but Cotton asserts he was misinterpreted. You know what they say, "no good deed goes unpunished."
When asked about his past comments at the CSIS shindig, Cotton clarified his position, insisting he never wanted AI to make the decision to press the big red button. On the contrary, he stressed that advanced systems can speed up the processing of info, but always with a human in the loop.
AI could save time by swiftly sorting through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data. "How do I get faster with ISR products?" Cotton pondered. "How do I become more efficient in understanding the status of my forces?" AI and machine learning could definitely lend a hand.
Ultimately, Cotton aims to equip the president with options in a jiffy, using AI to make the best use of the drumbeat of data incoming. Nevertheless, he warned that there should be extra caution when it comes to AI in STRATCOM. As he put it, "I'm responsible for different crown jewels than other combatant commanders, and it's darn serious."
ICBM Modernization and Sustainment | National Security | Technology
Insights:
Exploration and Modernization: To enhance decision-making and strengthen deterrence, STRATCOM is analyzing various technological innovations, including AI. Potential applications range from early warning systems and decision-support tools to data analytics for operational efficiency.
Human Involvement: Despite the aid offered by AI, human agency remains integral to decision-making processes. The final say will always rest with human actors.
Stabilizing vs. Destabilizing Effects: AI can help improve early warning systems and facilitate greater understanding of operational statuses. However, it could also potentially generate misinterpretations of nuclear deterrence doctrines if not properly managed.
- At the ICBM Modernization and Sustainment event, General Anthony J. Cotton emphasized the strategic use of artificial intelligence (AI) in analyzing data related to space security, defense, and nuclear weapons, but reiterated that human decision-making would remain paramount.
- In the realm of technology and national security, General Cotton suggested that AI could streamline intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data processing, thereby facilitating efficient understanding of force statuses, while underlining the need for continued human involvement.
- As the Pentagon explores the integration of AI in its strategic command processes, General Cotton highlighted the dual edge of AI: its potential to enhance decision-making and deterrence, as well as the risk of misinterpretations if not properly managed.
