Musk declares AI, drones the future of war

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, has declared that the future of warfare will be defined by artificial intelligence and drones. In a video released Thursday, Musk emphasized the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern conflict.

Musk thinks the war in Ukraine is very much a drone war right now. He notes that If there’s a major power war, it will be a drone war.

Musk urges US to invest heavily in AI-powered drones 

In a fireside chat with Brigadier General Shane Reeves, the Military Academy’s Dean of the Academic Board at West Point, Musk continued pushing for the U.S. to spend heavily on drones and build more at home. He said nations that can develop and use highly advanced drones will be important in future wars.

Musk, the billionaire business owner, has gradually emerged as one of the most powerful Americans in the government, primarily due to his friendship with former President Donald Trump. He gave the West Point cadets his view of the changing nature of warfare. He emphasized that drones are fast, agile, and inexpensive and may be better than big military machines.

This has been illustrated by the war in Ukraine, where autonomous aerial vehicles have been used for missile launches, and even as part of complex coordinated attacks, for surveillance, as well as for drone-launched missiles. Musk’s comments come as the use of drones in conflicts around the world has become increasingly prevalent.

The 40-minute conversation, which Musk posted a link to on X late on Thursday, ranged well beyond military technology, but AI and drones in warfare dominated his message. Their strategic significance in the 21st century is why Musk is calling for the U.S. to increase its investment in these technologies. 

The ethical consequences of such technologies will most likely be discussed in detail in the full conversation, but the main message is very clear: According to Musk, the future of war is here, and it’s an AI and drone future.

Musk expands AI influence to reshape government operations

Musk’s vision of the operation of AI-based forces in future warfare is not limited to the theoretical discussion of the topic. The Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E) has recently implemented AI tools within federal agencies, including the Department of Education, to analyze spending and recommend where cuts can be made. This suggests a wider plan by Musk to use the technological advantages of AI not only in the field of defense but also in the formation of government policies and management of resources.

While Musk preaches the gospel of AI efficiency, some analysts have a rather skeptical take on the manner and consequences of AI’s implementation in government. The use of personal and financial information to train AI models without adequate protection leaves much to be desired. Moreover, specialists are concerned about the risks of AI mistakes that may result in crucial and detrimental decisions, especially in budgeting and people management.

Musk’s impact on integrating AI into government functioning is increasing rapidly. On Wednesday alone, D.O.G.E representatives gained access to sensitive health payments at the Department of Health and Human Services and began seeking data from the Labor Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Alondra Nelson, who worked on AI policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Biden administration, said in an interview that most Americans are skeptical of AI and don’t want it used in the government, especially if it’s unclear how it’s being deployed.

“Do we want these tools unleashed in government and society without guardrails? There’s a lot of concern and mistrust about the use of AI in American society.”

~ Alondra Nelson

Meanwhile, D.O.G.E’s actions have already resulted in changes to personnel at the Department of Education, thus highlighting how far Musk’s AI-driven initiatives have spread.

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