The United States has been actively conducting trials with F-16 fighter jets piloted by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can outperform humans in some capacities. This innovative technology has been in use since September, as the U.S. prepares for potential competition from China.
In an interaction with the Associated Press, Frank Kendall, the U.S. Air Force Secretary, shared insights from the tests he witnessed firsthand during an hour-long flight. He stressed the necessity of AI technology in combat aircraft, highlighting security risks associated with not employing such advanced systems.
While the demonstration was observed by both the Associated Press and NBC, specific details regarding the operational tests remain undisclosed due to security reasons.
Here are some key points emerging from the tests:
– AI-equipped F-16 jets entered testing phase in September 2023.
– The AI prototype is dubbed “Vista,” sharing its name with the infamous Microsoft operating system.
– The trials are carried out at Edwards Air Force Base, a historical site where Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier in 1947.
– The development of AI capable of piloting combat aircraft is a challenging feat for the Air Force.
– The U.S. plans to build around a thousand AI-equipped fighters.
– To date, no other nation is known to conduct equally advanced combat aircraft testing with AI technology.
– Although U.S. military officials remain wary of Chinese developments in AI, it is believed that China has not yet moved beyond simulator testing.
During the test, the AI-driven Vista executed swift maneuvers, reaching speeds over 880 km/h and applying forces of up to five times that of gravity on the aircraft’s body. The AI also flew in close proximity to a human-piloted fighter jet within a distance of aproximately 300 meters.
The AI first learns through millions of data points in a simulator, later translating this learning into real flight tests. Subsequent flight data is fed back into the simulator, enhancing the AI’s learning process.
Bill Gray, the chief test pilot, emphasized that practical experience is invaluable, saying, “Until you actually fly, it’s all guesswork.”
After roughly 12 test flights, AI has managed to outmaneuver human pilots in some instances.
The U.S. pursuit of AI dominance is driven by national security and economic concerns. Delays in F-35 fighter production, which sometimes lead to financial losses of around $1.7 trillion, can potentially be mitigated by smaller, more cost-effective AI-operated fighters that remove the risk of pilot casualties.
Nevertheless, humanitarian groups have raised alarms about the implications of AI-piloted aircraft, particularly regarding target differentiation between military and civilian entities. Prominent institutions, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, have called for an immediate international political response to address these concerns. However, Kendall assured that human supervisors would oversee AI-piloted combat aircraft before engaging any onboard weapons.
Key Questions and Answers:
– What significance do AI-piloted fighter jets hold for the U.S. Air Force?
AI-piloted fighter jets represent a critical evolution in aerial combat. They offer the potential for advanced operational capabilities, reduced risks to human life, and cost-efficiencies in training and deployment.
– What challenges does the U.S. Air Force face with AI-piloted fighter jets?
The major challenges include ensuring reliable performance under combat conditions, ethical concerns over autonomous weapons systems, cybersecurity threats, and matters related to safe integration into existing air operations.
– What controversies are associated with AI in military applications?
Controversies include the ethical ramifications of machines making life-and-death decisions, potential for loss of human control, and the risk of initiating an AI arms race with international adversaries.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
– Enhanced Capabilities: AI-piloted fighter jets can perform complex maneuvers beyond human limitations due to G-force constraints.
– Reduced Risk to Pilots: Autonomous jets eliminate the need for pilots to be in harm’s way during high-risk missions.
– Economic Efficiency: AI fighters could lower the costs associated with pilot training and potentially reduce the procurement costs of manned systems.
– Operational Readiness: AI systems can be available around the clock without the physical and mental fatigue factors faced by human pilots.
Disadvantages:
– Ethical Considerations: The deployment of AI in combat raises serious ethical questions about the nature of warfare and loss of life.
– Dependency on Technology: Over-reliance on AI systems could lead to vulnerability, with potential for hacking or system errors in critical situations.
– International Norms: The use of AI-powered weaponry may conflict with international laws of warfare and could lead to escalation among other nations to develop similar technologies.
Related Links:
– United States Air Force
– The International Committee of the Red Cross
The source of the article is from the blog mgz.com.tw