The House Committee is requesting updates from the Pentagon regarding the use of artificial intelligence in countering the escalating threats posed by China.
The committee published its annual proposal for the National Defense Authorization Act, a defense policy bill, on Monday. This proposal will undergo review by various subcommittees, commencing on Tuesday.
Committee Urges Artificial Intelligence Integration for Security
Within the bill, the section addressing cyber and information technology includes numerous requests for updates regarding the Defense Department’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its national security strategy.
One of these requests pertains directly to China, as the committee asserts that China’s growing presence in disputed waters worldwide poses a threat to U.S. national security.
The committee expresses mounting concerns about the United States’ ability to counter this threat due to the extensive maritime environment. It suggests that incorporating AI-driven Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) would enhance the Navy’s monitoring capabilities, strategic planning, and early detection of emerging threats.
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Studying Autonomy Software for Future Military Helicopters
By next February, the committee has asked the Defense Department to provide a briefing on its current utilization of AI-driven MDA systems and explore further ways in which AI can assist the Navy in swiftly assessing maritime traffic and identifying potential threats.
Lawmakers have taken note of the Defense Department’s comprehensive plan to establish a Joint All-Domain Command and Control system, which employs AI to analyze data from diverse military sensors and facilitate real-time decision-making for military commanders.
They also propose that the Air Force could benefit from a similar system and have requested a report from the secretary of the Air Force by January.
The committee urges the Pentagon to provide updates on several other AI initiatives, including the development of an AI education strategy aimed at training service members on AI usage. They expect to be briefed on this topic by next March.
By December, the committee expects the Defense Department to brief lawmakers on the necessary infrastructure for enhancing AI capabilities and the Pentagon’s efforts to establish additional red teams for testing AI systems prior to deployment.
Furthermore, committee members wish for officials to study the development of autonomy software and ensure that the Army incorporates AI in supporting the future generation of military helicopters developed under the Future Vertical Lift program.
In April, the top AI adviser of U.S. Central Command mentioned the military’s desire to leverage AI for rapid data assimilation and aiding military leaders in faster decision-making. However, Dr. Andrew Moore, the adviser, emphasized the importance of human control over these decisions rather than relying solely on AI systems.
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