Pentagon tests predictive AI to see threats in advance

The system sifts through massive amounts of raw, real-time data to spot even minute changes at sensitive locations

Pentagon is experimenting with an advanced AI system that it hopes can look 'days in advance' to predict the next move from an adversary.

The new project, dubbed the Global Information Dominance Experiments (GIDE), uses a combination of machine learning algorithms, cloud computing and undersea sensors to sift through massive amounts of raw, real-time data. The aim is to spot even minute changes at sensitive locations, which might hint at possible trouble.

For example, if satellite data suggests that an enemy's submarine is about to leave port, the system could alert human agents who would then take a closer look at the location.

Similarly, if satellite imagery shows that troops of a hostile nation are moving, the system could predict where they are likely to be deployed, enabling the US military to deploy its forces in advance to thwart any hostile activity.

The US Northern Command recently completed the third series of futuristic experiments, GIDE 3, which saw all 11 US commands and the Defense Department using various military and civilian sensors to focus on possible scenarios where 'contested logistics' (for example communications in the Panama Canal) might pose a security issue.

In a media briefing last week, General Glen VanHerck, commander of the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), stated that the primary aim of GIDE is to "achieve information dominance" and "decision-making superiority".

"I'm talking not minutes and hours, I'm talking days," said General Glen VanHerck, who believes this predictive AI system could help the Pentagon take proactive steps like ramping up defences or deploying forces, while also likely providing an "opportunity" for the civilian government.

"The ability to see days in advance creates decision space. Decision space for me as an operational commander to potentially posture forces to create deterrence options to provide that to the secretary or even the president. To use messaging, the information space to create deterrence options and messaging and if required to get further ahead and posture ourselves for defeat."

Without mentioning China and Russia directly, he said that the focus of the latest tests was the "two peer competitors" of the US.

The move comes more than four months after the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) warned in a report that the US was unprepared for the coming threat of AI, and could soon be replaced by China as the world's AI superpower.

"Americans have not yet grappled with just how profoundly the artificial intelligence revolution will impact our economy, national security, and welfare," the report stated.

"Much remains to be learned about the power and limits of AI technologies. Nevertheless, big decisions need to be made now to accelerate AI innovation to benefit the United States and to defend against the malign uses of AI."

The NSCAI was created in 2019, with a mandate to make recommendations to the US President and Congress to advance the development of AI, machine learning and related technologies to address the country's needs in terms of defence and national security. It is led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, with Robert Work, a former deputy secretary of defence, as vice-chair.