Artificial Intelligence in the US Military

Images from wiredforwar.pwsinger.com

It sounds like science fiction, but it is fact: On the

battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, robots are killing

America’s enemies and saving American lives. But

today’s Pack Bots, Predators, and Ravens are

relatively primitive machines. The coming generation

of “war-bots” will be immensely more sophisticated,

and their development raises troubling new questions

about how and when we wage war.

Strong vs. Weak AI• Strong AI: “Artificial intelligence that matches or surpasses human

intelligence.”– Must be able to:

• Reason

• Plan

• Learn

• Communicate

• Integrate this skills towards common goals

• Weak AI: “Use of software to study and accomplish specific problem solving or reasoning tasks not encompassing full range of human cognitive abilities.”

• How it’s being done: the Blue Brain Project. Tries to simulate the human brain using supercomputers.

Packbot

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• The packbot is only one of many unmanned systems operating in Iraq and Afgahnistan today.

• In 2003 there were no packbots in Iraq

• By the end of 2008, 12,000 packbots were projected to be deployed in Iraq

• These are just the 1st generation. Scientists are trying to equip potbots with automated machine guns

and robotic stretcher

Raven UAVRaven Specs:

• Wing Span 4 ft 3 in

• Length 3 ft 7 in

• Weight 4.2 lb

• Engine Aveox 27/26/7-AV electric motor

• Cruising speed 60 mph

• Range 6.2 miles

• Endurance approx. 80 min

The Raven is a remote-controlled miniature unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The craft is launched by hand and powered by an electric motor.(wikipedia.com)

Biomimectics

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Juice for your Noggin • Why do you think unmanned systems have been used in

greater numbers in places like Iraq and Afghanistan? Do you see this trend continuing?

• Will the robotics trend make wars easier or harder to start? Why?

• Will the robotics trend help or hurt America's standing in the world? How so?

• What do you think will be the key legal issues to resolve in the robotics field?

Questions from:wiredforwar.pwsinger.com