Security News > 2020 > February > Pentagon Adopts New Ethical Principles for Using AI in War
The Pentagon is adopting new ethical principles as it prepares to accelerate its use of artificial intelligence technology on the battlefield.
The new principles call for people to "Exercise appropriate levels of judgment and care" when deploying and using AI systems, such as those that scan aerial imagery to look for targets.
An existing 2012 military directive requires humans to be in control of automated weapons but doesn't address broader uses of AI. The new U.S. principles are meant to guide both combat and non-combat applications, from intelligence-gathering and surveillance operations to predicting maintenance problems in planes or ships.
While the Pentagon acknowledged that AI "Raises new ethical ambiguities and risks," the new principles fall short of stronger restrictions favored by arms control advocates.
University of Richmond law professor Rebecca Crootof said adopting principles is a good first step, but the military will need to show it can critically evaluate the huge data troves used by AI systems, as well as their cybersecurity risks.