The Pentagon admitted it will lose to China on AI if it doesn't make some big changes

Major powers are rushing to strengthen their militaries through artificial intelligence, but the US is hamstrung by certain challenges that rivals like China may not face, giving them an advantage in this strategic competition. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are enabling cutting-edge technological capabilities that have any number of possibilities, both in the civilian and military space. AI can mean complex data analysis and accelerated decision-making -- a big advantage that could potentially be the decisive difference in a high-end fight. For China, one of its most significant advantages -- outside of its disregard for privacy concerns and civil liberties that allow it to gather data and develop capabilities faster -- is the fusion of military aims with civilian commercial industry. In contrast, leading US tech companies like Google are not working with the US military on AI. "If we do not find a way to strengthen the bonds between the United States government and industry and academia, then I would say we do have the real risk of not moving as fast as China when it comes to" artificial intelligence, Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan said, responding to Insider's queries at a Pentagon press briefing Friday.