Pentagon Will Spend $2 Billion Developing Next-Generation AI

The Pentagon on Friday announced it would spend more than $2 billion over the next five years to advance the foundations of artificial intelligence technology. Through the AI Next initiative, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency aims to bring about so-called "third wave" AI, tools capable of human-like communication and contextual reasoning that far surpass the abilities of today's most advanced machine-learning and AI technology. The massive investment comes as global powers like China pour significant resources into their own artificial intelligence R&D programs. "I'm proud to tell you DARPA plans to continue and increase its support for AI research, with a significant focus on the technologies that underpin a third wave of AI," said DARPA Director Steven Walker in the announcement at the agency's 60th anniversary conference. "Let's … double down and commit to ensuring our country continues to create technological surprise for many more years and continues to use that surprise for a better and more secure world."