The Ministry of Defence recently publicised its intent regarding the Royal Navy’s adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
On 14th September 2023, a Pre-Procurement Notice was released, sharing details about the “RN Artificial Intelligence Adoption Roadmap Launch”.
According to the notice, the Royal Navy officially launched its AI roadmap at DSEI on 13 September 2023. This strategic document is indicative of the RN’s keenness to hasten AI adoption across its various operations.
Highlighting the significance of this move, the MOD stated, “It reflects the RN’s aspiration to accelerate AI adoption across the spectrum of our outputs and is matched with resource to deliver. The strategic context cannot be understated as we witness both an explosion in AI enabled capability globally and the pivotal role played by technology in Ukraine.”
A major development alongside the roadmap is the inception of the Naval AI Cell (NAIC). It is foreseen as a vital component in actualising the RN’s AI ambitions.
Detailing the function of the NAIC, the notice mentions, “The NAIC comprises a focused team working across the enterprise to identify and advance AI enabled capability. Rather than take a portfolio management approach to the adoption of AI, the NAIC will act as a transformation office until AI in the RN becomes ‘business as usual’.”
In April 2023, the MOD had organised an industry day to gather perspectives on AI-related capability development. Expressing gratitude for the participation, the notice says, “We received a great volume of comments during the session and these have been immensely helpful in shaping the Roadmap.”
The MOD is keen on expanding this industry engagement via the NAIC and is also enthusiastic about updating traditional commercial practices to foster a wider, more open dialogue with the industry.
The MOD was clear in its intention, stating that this notice is solely informational, and neither the presentation nor subsequent discussions will be considered a commitment or pre-qualification exercise.
All formal procurement, if pursued, will strictly align with the MoD’s procurement guidelines and relevant regulations. The MOD stressed, “Nothing in the event or any other engagements with Industry prior to a formal procurement process, shall be construed as a representation as to the Authority’s ultimate decision in relation to any future requirement.”
Need to hasten ships, subs, planes and armaments too!
This makes eminent sense however, systems must be in place to avoid AI taking control of crisis situations. Overide is not ultimately what AI understands hence the need for caution. Stand-offs usually end peacefully when NATO ships confront Russian warships at sea as the human factor tends to win the day. Alarmingly, AI can work brutally and logically, which could result in a different outcome?
Need a big off switch that kills the power to it.
Absolutely!
And place AI in KRRNs as well can’t have AI bringing the Navy into Disrepute
That is its Achillies heel. It must always be under human control, but if that human is amoral we’re screwed. Most terrifying is AI under Russian/CCP/Islamic terrorist states etc control. “I’ll be back” as Arnie said.
By definition, simple AI systems can identify failings and rapidly assist human control in rectifying them. However, when mature variants are developed the human factor will be challenged and possibly overridden. AI might recognise amoral activity but not necessarily act accordingly. That said, once embedded it may be impossible to lose it in the algorithm hence bringing wars to an end. We may witness the ultimate peacemaker?
Peacemaker decides the other side won’t quit and it disagrees with what its side has been doing sometimes so to end the conflict quickly nukes everyone.
If it’s role is to save lives long conflicts go against that role.
I doubt that can even happen but
I thought hasten meant to slow it down, be cautious and so on.
It appears am wrong
Would not envision NATO enabling AI directed, autonomous weapon release authorization capability w/in foreseeable future. 🤞 Orcs? ChiComs? Dunno…🤔😳
“Royal Navy looking to ‘hasten’ adoption of AI”… Why? Because we do not have enough Sailors?
It’s believed that better decisions can be made more quickly with the help of AI. It’s not particularly the lack of sailors. A hundred people can’t think any faster than one.
With the ” Help of AI” but when does Help become “Order’s of AI” in the not too distant future at the rate at which AI is progressing as a certain film implied ” the system became self aware ” that could still be a possibility that’s why Monkey spanner suggests a big Off switch and we can revert too the good old MK 1 eyeball again just be careful what you wish for that all I’m saying Jon
It’s a very valid question and not just at the pointy end. At the front end attacking you’ll have a man in the loop mandated, but what’s going on in the back offices could be equally as devastating if AI is leaned on too heavily.
Self awareness is a long way off, but AI doesn’t need to be self aware to have an inordinate level of influence. It just needs jobsworths to be unwilling to override.
Thanks Jon I’m a luddite, when it comes too something such as AI ,Grease monkey at heart working on weapon systems ours were systems such a CA AIS computer assisted action information system the computer for that took up a compartment the same size as the Ops room I know we’ve progressed somewhat from CAAIS , Just hope the amount we pay for these systems are value for the results predicted , and none of our future adversaries can produce an EM weapon
Roughly 10% of the Defence budget is digital. I hope it’s value for money too. I watched the CIO and Permanent Secretary about a year ago give good accounting of the area to the Public Accounts Committee, who only savaged it a little bit in the subsequent report. That’s better than they do to most of the Defence TLBs. Nevertheless it’s not easy to judge from the outside. There’s a new Defence AI Centre, modelled on the subsequently renamed US JAIC. So I know there’s a lot of UK AI expertise looking into all this stuff. I’m sure they will… Read more »
Your probably right there Jon and I would think that those engaged in the AI programme are akin too those who worked at Bletchley Park except they now work on Ones and Zero’s when coding if that’s how AI coding works god what a Grease monkey I am