Pentagon unveils AI strategy to compete with Russia, China

The Pentagon on Tuesday unveiled a new artificial intelligence strategy aimed at keeping pace and competing with Russian and Chinese technological advancements. "Other nations, particularly China and Russia, are making significant investments in AI for military purposes," according to the strategy, titled "Harnessing AI to Advance Our Security and Prosperity. "These investments threaten to erode our technological and operational advantages and destabilize the free and open international order. The United States, together with its allies and partners, must adopt AI to maintain its strategic position, prevail on future battlefields, and safeguard this order." The strategy outlines how the Department of Defense (DoD) will develop and use AI – machines performing tasks usually done by humans -- "in ways that advance security, peace, and stability in the long run." The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) will lead and coordinate AI pilot projects within DoD, including for operations, training, sustainment, force protection, recruitment, healthcare and defense against cyberattacks. The document and an adjoining Pentagon statement did not include a dollar amount associated with the strategy. JAIC Director Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, told reporters Tuesday that the AI budget for the Pentagon for the current fiscal year is $90 million. He said there will be a request for more AI dollars in the administration's upcoming fiscal year 2020 budget request. "We know that China is ahead of us, but I'd like to look at other areas where China and where Russia are ahead of us.