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The number of users of artificial intelligence (AI) systems within the Pentagon has surged by 1775% over the past year, equating to an increase of 1.42 million users, as stated by Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Emil Michael.
The Pentagon noted that AI is increasingly utilized for analyzing intelligence data, processing vast amounts of information, automating paperwork, and aiding decision-making. The military also views artificial intelligence as a critical tool in its technological competition with China and other potential adversaries.
As previously stated by former Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, the Pentagon has been investing in artificial intelligence and its analogs for over 60 years, but the adoption of such systems has accelerated significantly in recent years, particularly with the rise of generative AI and machine learning.
One of the most notable Pentagon initiatives in this area remains Project Maven — a system for analyzing imagery and intelligence data using neural networks. In recent years, the project has expanded: Maven technologies are now applied not only to process satellite images and drone footage but also to support U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
Simultaneously, collaboration between the Pentagon and major American IT companies and AI developers is intensifying. U.S. military organizations are actively testing generative models for cybersecurity, intelligence, and operational planning tasks. However, experts warn of the risks associated with excessive automation in the military sector and potential algorithmic errors in critical decision-making.