Artificial Intelligence: DOD Should really Enhance Methods, Inventory Procedure, and Collaboration Advice
Table of Contents
What GAO Found
The 2018 Division of Protection (DOD) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technique defines AI as the capacity of devices to carry out tasks that typically need human intelligence. The system and involved ideas consist of some, but not all, traits of a detailed method. For illustration, DOD’s 9 AI-linked techniques and strategies do not include full descriptions of sources and investments and risk connected with adoption of AI-enabled systems (See fig.). Issuing assistance to include all characteristics of a in depth method in foreseeable future AI-similar approaches could aid DOD be superior positioned to support professionals assure accountability and responsible use of AI.
Assessment of DOD Artificial Intelligence-Relevant Approaches and Plans
DOD has started to determine and report on its AI activities, but limitations exist in its AI baseline inventory, these as the exclusion of labeled activities. DOD officials explained these restrictions will be dealt with in subsequent phases of the AI inventory identification course of action. Nevertheless, DOD has not yet formulated a superior-degree prepare or roadmap that captures all requirements and milestones. This sort of a approach would supply DOD with a superior-degree, conclusion-to-close look at of all the characteristics important to execute the program’s purpose to deliver a entire and exact inventory of AI pursuits to Congress and to DOD conclusion makers.
DOD companies collaborate on AI things to do, but can more completely incorporate leading collaboration procedures. DOD uses a assortment of official and casual collaborative mechanisms that GAO’s prior get the job done has identified, this kind of as interagency groups. DOD has partly incorporated primary collaboration tactics, these types of as pinpointing management. Having said that, DOD officers explained to us they are in the method of creating steering and agreements that plainly define the roles and obligations of DOD factors that participate in AI actions. By finalizing and issuing this kind of steering, DOD could assist make certain all contributors concur on duties and conclusion earning on AI attempts throughout the division.
Why GAO Did This Research
DOD tactics point out that AI will rework the character of warfare, and failure to adopt AI technological innovation could hinder the capability of warfighters to protect our country. DOD is generating organizational modifications and investing billions of pounds to include AI technologies, this kind of as setting up the Joint AI Heart to accelerate the supply of AI-enabled capabilities across DOD.
Dwelling Report 116-442 accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Yr 2021, involves a provision for GAO to evaluate DOD’s means, capabilities, and plans for AI technological innovation. This report evaluates the extent to which (1) DOD’s AI Tactic and connected ideas incorporate traits of a extensive approach (2) DOD has discovered and described AI routines across the section and (3) DOD collaborates on its AI pursuits. GAO reviewed suitable laws and DOD tactics that outline strategies and processes to manage AI throughout the division, interviewed officers, and performed a division-broad study. This is a public model of a sensitive report that GAO issued in February 2022. Data that DOD deemed sensitive has been omitted.
