US Military Utilizes AI In Middle East Operations: 'We've Been Using Computer Vision'

The United States military has confirmed its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify targets in recent air strikes across the Middle East.

This acknowledgment underscores the increasingly integral role of machine learning algorithms in combat operations, offering a glimpse into the future of warfare.

Enhanced Precision In Target Identification

According to Schuyler Moore, chief technology officer for the U.S. Central Command, AI technologies, particularly computer vision, played a pivotal role in the execution of over 85 US air strikes on Feb. 2. These strikes targeted seven facilities in Iraq and Syria, including rocket, missile storage, drone facilities, and militia operations centers.

The Pentagon highlighted that these operations were in retaliation to the killing of three US service members in Jordan on Jan. 28, attributing the attack to Iranian-backed militias.

“We’ve been using computer vision to identify where there might be threats,” Moore told Bloomberg, indicating a significant leap in military tactics. The technology’s ability to self-teach and improve target identification has evidently bolstered the U.S.’s capability to pinpoint threats with unprecedented accuracy.

The Scope Of AI In Combat

The utilization of AI extends beyond mere target identification; it has also been instrumental in locating rocket launchers in Yemen and surface vessels in the Red Sea. Several of these identified threats have been neutralized in subsequent weapons strikes, addressing assaults on commercial shipping by Iran-supported Houthi militias.

These advancements stem from Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative launched in 2017 aimed at integrating AI and machine learning across defense operations. This project has not only enhanced the U.S.’s combat readiness but also facilitated a shift towards a more technologically reliant military strategy.

Operational And Ethical Safeguards

Despite these technological strides, Moore emphasizes the crucial role of human oversight in AI-driven operations. The AI systems under Project Maven are designed to assist in identifying potential targets, not to make autonomous decisions regarding their engagement.

“There is never an algorithm that's just running, coming to a conclusion and then pushing onto the next step,” Moore said, underscoring the stringent checks and balances in place to mitigate the risk of errors.

This hybrid approach, combining AI’s analytical prowess with human judgment, aims to refine military operations while maintaining ethical standards. The U.S. military’s adoption of AI in combat signifies a transformative period in warfare, blending technological innovation with traditional operational principles to navigate the complex landscape of modern conflict.

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ITA was 0.5% higher to $127 on Monday, on track to mark its record-high close since the fund’s inception.