Introduction to AI in the Military
The US military has been exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its operations. Recently, a unit used large language models to analyze data and provide insights during a dynamic situation. "We still need to validate the sources," says Lowdon, but the unit’s commanders encouraged the use of these models because they provide a lot more efficiency.
The Technology Behind the Scenes
The generative AI tools used by the military were built by Vannevar Labs, a defense-tech company that was granted a production contract worth up to $99 million by the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit. Vannevar Labs was founded in 2019 by veterans of the CIA and US intelligence community. The company’s technology is part of a growing trend of the US military’s embrace of AI, not only for physical technologies like drones and autonomous vehicles but also for software that is revolutionizing how the Pentagon collects, manages, and interprets data for warfare and surveillance.
How Vannevar Labs’ Technology Works
Vannevar Labs applies existing large language models, including some from OpenAI and Microsoft, and some bespoke ones of its own to troves of open-source intelligence. The company collects terabytes of data in 80 different languages every day in 180 countries. This data is used to analyze social media profiles, breach firewalls, and gather nonclassified data that is difficult to get online. The company also uses reports from physical sensors that covertly monitor radio waves to detect illegal shipping activities.
The Goals of Vannevar Labs’ Technology
The goal of Vannevar Labs’ technology is to provide customers with critical information on topics such as international fentanyl supply chains and China’s efforts to secure rare earth minerals in the Philippines. "Our real focus as a company," says Scott Philips, Vannevar Labs’ chief technology officer, "is to collect data, make sense of that data, and help the US make good decisions."
The Broader Context of AI in the Military
The use of generative AI by the US military represents a newer frontier in the development of AI tools. The military has been developing computer vision models and similar AI tools since 2017, but the use of generative AI is a more recent development. This technology is part of a growing trend of the US military’s embrace of AI, which is also being used by companies like Palantir, Anduril, and Scale AI.
The Potential Impact of AI on the Military
The use of AI by the US military has the potential to revolutionize the way the Pentagon collects, manages, and interprets data for warfare and surveillance. AI can help analysts make sense of large amounts of data, identify patterns, and provide insights that might not be apparent to human analysts. This can help the military make better decisions and respond more quickly to changing situations.
Conclusion
The use of AI by the US military is a growing trend that has the potential to revolutionize the way the Pentagon collects, manages, and interprets data for warfare and surveillance. Vannevar Labs’ technology is at the forefront of this trend, providing critical information to customers on a range of topics. As the use of AI continues to evolve, it will be important to consider the potential implications and ensure that this technology is used in a responsible and ethical manner.
FAQs
- What is Vannevar Labs?
Vannevar Labs is a defense-tech company that was founded in 2019 by veterans of the CIA and US intelligence community. - What kind of technology does Vannevar Labs develop?
Vannevar Labs develops generative AI tools that can analyze data, detect threats, and provide insights to customers. - How does Vannevar Labs’ technology work?
Vannevar Labs’ technology uses large language models to analyze troves of open-source intelligence and provide insights to customers. - What is the goal of Vannevar Labs’ technology?
The goal of Vannevar Labs’ technology is to provide customers with critical information on a range of topics and help the US make good decisions. - What is the potential impact of AI on the military?
The use of AI by the US military has the potential to revolutionize the way the Pentagon collects, manages, and interprets data for warfare and surveillance.
