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Break and Counter: US Army’s 500-day AI Plan to Include New Testing, Defense Efforts

The US Army has been working to accelerate the adoption of AI capabilities over the past year. After completing a successful 100-day sprint, the Army has now unveiled plans for the next phase of its AI implementation strategy – a 500-day roadmap. Let’s explore the two new initiatives by the US Army under the 500-day AI plan, along with ongoing efforts to safely develop and operationalize AI.

100-day Sprint Completed

The Army recently wrapped up a 100-day sprint to identify challenges in adopting AI technologies. This included examining how to develop in-house AI algorithms as well as partnering with third-party vendors. The sprint helped the Army understand the capabilities needed over the next 500-day AI plan.

Two New Initiatives Under 500-day AI Plan

At the TechNet conference in August 2024, the Army announced two new initiatives under its broader 500-day AI plan:

1. #BreakAI

At the TechNet Augusta conference, the Army announced the #BreakAI initiative as part of its wider 500-day AI plan. The goal of #BreakAI is to develop robust testing and evaluation methods for AI systems as the technologies progress toward artificial general intelligence. 

As Young Bang, Principal Deputy to the ASA(ALT), explained, conventional testing approaches may not be effective for next-gen AIs whose behaviours are unpredictable. The Army will work with the industry to create new tools and processes to “break” AI models and ensure safe performance when soldiers use them. Proper testing is critical before deploying self-learning systems in military applications.

2. #CounterAI

The second new initiative is #CounterAI, which aims to secure Army platforms and algorithms from adversarial attacks utilizing AI. Jennifer Swanson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, acknowledged that other countries are aggressively investing in offensive AI capabilities. 

As a deterrent, the Army needs capabilities to defend against threats posed by enemy AI systems. However, operational details of the #CounterAI framework will be kept secret. The overriding goal is to maintain an edge over strategic competitors attempting to exploit AI for digital or physical attacks.

Details of the 500-day AI plan to implement these initiatives are understandably not fully disclosed due to operational security.

#DefendAI Program

In parallel, the Army is continuing the #DefendAI program launched earlier this year. It develops a ‘layered defence framework’ to mitigate risks from third-party AI and safely integrate commercial algorithms. In July, the Army issued an RFI seeking industry feedback to improve this framework. 

Progress Towards Project Linchpin

The initiatives will support Project Linchpin, the Army’s AI program of record. Project Linchpin has been in development since 2023 to consolidate various AI efforts under one program. It is expected to receive full funding by 2026.

Concluding Thoughts

With its two new hashtags and existing parallel initiatives, the Army is taking a multi-pronged approach to realize the promises of AI while safeguarding against potential dangers. Proper testing, security practices, and plans to counter adversaries are necessary to ensure Army personnel have decision-making support from trustworthy AI applications in future battlefields. 

Over the next 500-day AI plan, stakeholders will work to refine and strengthen all elements of this AI implementation strategy. Industry collaboration will remain important during this phase of the AI implementation journey.

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Picture of Faizan Ali Naqvi
Faizan Ali Naqvi

Research is my hobby and I love to learn new skills. I make sure that every piece of content that you read on this blog is easy to understand and fact checked!

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