July 12, 2018

Report: The U.S. is unprepared for the AI future

Source: Axios

Journalist: Kaveh Weddell

Advances in artificial intelligence are supercharging propaganda, espionage, and cybercrime, threatening "the end of truth," says a new report from the Center for a New American Security, shared first with Axios.

Why it matters: Cybercriminals and governments are stocking up on the AI capabilities that will define the next generation of conflict. At the same time, automation and the rise of fake information are stirring up unrest. Together, these forces can turn society upside down.

  • "We're moving into an era where seeing is no longer going to be believing," says Paul Scharre, director of the center's technology and national security program.
  • Deepfakes could be used as propaganda, for misinformation campaigns, or to derail diplomacy, Scharre says.
  • "I don't think we as a society are prepared for this."

The details: The report is an abridged encyclopedia of the good and ill that AI could bring to national security. Some scenarios show the potential upside of AI tools, but others would result in chaos if not challenged by smart AI countermeasures.

  • AI development is an arms race that will be won by the cleverest, best-funded side.
  • One example: AI can create fake but convincing audio, photos, and video. Algorithms developed in response can detect doctored images and videos, removing them from online platforms — but they're far from infallible.



Read the Full Article at Axios


Author

  • Paul Scharre

    Executive Vice President and Director of Studies

    Paul Scharre is the Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS. He is the award-winning author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence...