The Dawn of Artificial Intelligence in Naval Warfare

The U.S. Navy is investing real money to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the force, requesting $62.5 million in the FY19 Defense Department budget for AI and rapid prototyping. As the technology matures, the Navy needs to adapt by displacing human intelligence in roles for which AI is better suited while being aware of the many roles in which human intelligence will still have an edge. The Navy should identify candidates for automation where, relative to human intelligence, AI is likely to be increasingly fast, agile, or low-cost. But leadership should also understand where AI isn't likely to be applicable and comprehend the implementation difficulties the Navy faces relative to other government and commercial organizations. Discussions around AI need to evolve from "we need it" to "this is how we get it."