Transcript for: Artificial Intelligence Could Transform Defense Strategies. How is DOD Planning for It? Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to transform national defense and war strategies. The Department of Defense has even stated that failure to adopt AI technology could restore the military's ability to defend our nation. We find out more about DOD's use and strategies for AI from GAO’s Brian Mazanec. Related GAO Work: GAO-22-105834, Artificial Intelligence: DOD Should Improve Strategies, Inventory Process, and Collaboration Guidance Released: March 2022 [Brian Mazanec:] AI is really a critical technology that has tremendous implications for many warfighting and business functions within DOD. [Music] [Holly Hobbs:] Hi, and welcome to GAO’s Watchdog Report—your source for news and information from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. I'm your host Holly Hobbs. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is likely to transform national defense and war strategies. The Department of Defense has even stated that failure to adopt AI technology could risk the military's ability to defend our nation. Today, we'll find out more about DOD's use and strategies for AI from director Brian Mazanec, an expert on emerging defense threats and capabilities, who has a new report out on this topic. Thanks for joining us, Brian. [Brian Mazanec:] Thanks Holly. [Holly Hobbs:] So Brian, for the DOD or national defense, why is AI any different than other emerging technologies? [Brian Mazanec:] I think first, it's helpful to define AI. Some have compared AI to electricity in that it's a transformative kind of general purpose technology that begins as a curiosity, but eventually can change everything. DOD really emphasizes that AI is not a single technology. There are multiple types of AI, with the most current applications the department is using being either machine learning—where the AI learns from large datasets—or expert knowledge, where AI processes data according to preprogramed rules from human experts. [Holly Hobbs:] Can you give us some examples of how AI is being used by DOD now? [Brian Mazanec:] First, while some people may think of DOD and AI, and then their mind jumps to Skynet in the Terminator and those kind of things, DOD is actually using AI applications in much more fundamental and commonplace ways. As an example, the DOD Joint AI Center, has developed an AI powered Intelligent Data Discovery Analysis and Evaluation tool that they're using for analyzing unstructured policy data. They call this tool Game Changer. And over 2,000 DOD users at the time of our report had used the Game Changer AI platform to automatically search DOD policy documents and find relationships between them. In terms of AI for the warfighter, DOD is also using AI machine learning technologies right now for full motion video and overhead satellite imagery, as well as human language recognition and processing. I'd also throw in here, while not a DOD example, we are seeing the application of some of these AI-enabled intelligence capabilities right now with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Commercial machine learning algorithms are enhancing open-source intelligence being provided to the Ukrainian military. And Ukraine is using AI facial recognition technology to identify Russian operatives and help the Ukrainian government debunk false social media posts and misinformation from Russia. [Holly Hobbs:] What about future uses? [Brian Mazanec:] Great question. A potential future type of AI being pursued currently is called contextual adaptation. This is where a computer is capable of adapting to new situations without needing to be retrained, while also being able to explain to users the reasoning behind its decisions or predictions. For DOD, as an example, in the future, the department may develop an AI-enabled, fully-autonomous naval vessel that uses algorithms to help it maneuver in situations it was not specifically trained for—such as inclement weather or contested waters—then capable of planning, relaying and carrying out military missions similar to the way a human would. [Holly Hobbs:] So this seems like a big shift in technology, and DOD has said it's an important one, right? Does the DOD have a strategy for AI? [Brian Mazanec:] Yes. In 2018, DOD issued the DOD AI Strategy—the first of its kind. We found that the strategy and the associated DOD plans included some, but not all characteristics that we look for in a comprehensive strategy. For example, DOD strategy does not include a full description of the resources and investments needed or the risks associated with the adoption of AI-enabled technologies. We recommended that DOD issue guidance to include all characteristics of a comprehensive strategy and future AI-related strategies, and to consider the key governance practices outlined in GAO's new AI Accountability Framework. Fortunately here, DOD has begun to draft an updated AI strategy, which is expected to be issued as an annex to the new National Defense Strategy. [Holly Hobbs:] So Brian, it also seems like in order for an AI strategy to be successful, DOD would need buy-in or collaboration across service branches and other components. [Brian Mazanec:] Yes. Yes, that's absolutely right, Holly. Collaboration across the department will be key to successfully integrating AI. We looked at this issue and we found that DOD organizations were collaborating on AI activities, but we think they could improve this collaboration. For example, we found that DOD has not fully defined or set expectations for those responsible for collaborating with the Joint AI Center or the broader DOD AI ecosystem. We recommended that DOD finalize and issue guidance and agreements that define roles and responsibilities for leadership and relevant participation in collaborating on AI activities. I think it's also worth noting here that this past December, the deputy Secretary of Defense issued a memorandum directing the establishment of the Chief Digital and AI Officer, a new office that will eventually be the successor organization to the Joint AI Center. And as DOD stands up this new office, officials told us they're in the process of developing guidance and agreements that more clearly define the roles and responsibilities of DOD components that participate in AI activities. {MUSIC} [Holly Hobbs:] So Brian just told us that the Department of Defense is using AI technology in both warfighting and non-warfighting activities across the department. But that there are some gaps in its planning and collaboration that—when addressed—could help bolster these and future efforts. So, Brian, what more should DOD be doing to improve its strategy and planning for AI? [Brian Mazanec:] So DOD recognizes the importance of AI and is investing billions of dollars to incorporate AI technology into its operations. However, we really do think there are some areas where DOD can strengthen its approach to AI—such as improving its AI strategy and improving department-wide AI inventory—to ensure decision makers have comprehensive information on the number of AI activities and investments. Additionally, as I also previously mentioned, while we found that the military services and DOD organizations are building collaborative relationships, we think the department should take steps to further incorporate leading collaboration practices to avoid unnecessary fragmentation, duplication and overlap. And I think another critically important way to improve AI coordination in DOD is to complete and leverage the AI Joint Common Foundation because that will really be a shared repository for AI algorithms and datasets that are needed to expand AI adoption. And DOD really has a great opportunity to address these issues as it stands up this new office of the Chief Digital and AI officer this year. [Holly Hobbs:] And last question, what's the bottom line of this report? [Brian Mazanec:] Our bottom line is that AI is really a critical technology that has tremendous implications for many warfighting and business functions within DOD, from logistics to intelligence activities to everything in between. DOD is leveraging AI right now. And we really believe that once the department implements these recommendations, DOD will be better able to develop, adopt, integrate AI capabilities in all of the areas we discussed previously. And lastly, I would say most importantly, additional action from DOD can help ensure that the department is better positioned to take advantage of the AI revolution and maintain an advantage over adversaries and strategic competitors such as China and Russia, who are seeking to do the same. [Holly Hobbs:] That was Brian Mazanec talking about GAO's new report on DOD’s use and strategy for AI technology. Thanks for your time, Brian. [Brian Mazanec:] Thank you Holly. [Holly Hobbs:] And thank you for listening to The Watchdog Report. To hear more podcasts, subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts Spotify or wherever you listen. And make sure to leave a rating and review to let others know about the work we're doing. For more from the congressional watchdog, the U.S. government Accountability Office, visit us at GAO.gov.