AI ‘Will Enhance’ Nuclear Command and Control, Says STRATCOM Boss

Air and Space Forces Magazine ^ | 10/28/2024 | Greg Hadley

[USAF1985]

The Pentagon nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise is decades old and desperate for an upgrade, says the head of U.S. Strategic Command, and artificial intelligence could help fortify nuclear C3 for its no-fail mission.

STRATCOM is “exploring all possible technologies, techniques, and methods to assist with the modernization of our NC3 capabilities,” said Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, who has led the command since December 2022.

More at link.

[wildcard_redneck]

US AI-Enabled Drone Attacked Its Operator in Simulated Test: Report
https://thedefensepost.com/2023/06/02/us-drone-attacks-operator/

[cuz1961]

launch the icbm's! . .

[Red Badger]

Isaac Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ series...............

[DPMD]

If you want a look at a nightmarish AI future, read Jack Carr’s “Red Sky Mourning.” Some of his villains are based on current pols, like Pelosi and Harris.

[Dahoser]

I read that as part of my get to know Harlan Ellison for more than City on the Edge of Forever (which he disavowed and is a whole nother huge story) and being a creative consultant for Babylon 5. It's a brutal story.

[Tell It Right]

My favorite line is General Beringer saying to just unplug the thing. Perhaps we’ll be saying the same thing.

[USAF1985]

My favorite line was “Hell, I’d piss on a spark plug if I thought it would work!”

[monkeyshine]

McKittrick, after very careful consideration, sir, I’ve come to the conclusion that your new defense system sucks.

[Honorary Serb]

Dangerous!

[USAF1985]

We need mco make a lot of clones of Beringer

[Rockingham]

In concept, the use of AI in nuclear command and control with humans in the loop would offer greater security and effectiveness. Among other advantages, AI would allow fast updating of launch and target plans and would make any use of nuclear weapons more flexible and effective with a lesser number of warheads.

To give an example, suppose that in preparation for an invasion of Taiwan, China nukes Guam and sinks two US carriers. What are the options for an effective and proportionate US response that avoids a general nuclear exchange? What targets should be hit with what specific conventional and nuclear weapons?

At present, unless there is a war plan in place for that purpose, the US would be hard put to make a rapid and effective response because a new plan would have to be developed by Pentagon planners, approved by the President, and new tasking orders issued. With AI, such a plan and order sets could be developed rapidly for decision and quickly implemented.

In the best scenarios, the use of nuclear weapons might be limited or averted entirely.

[vpintheak]

Another step towards Terminator.

[Disambiguator]

I’m glad to see “skynet” already in the keywords.

[Salman]

AI simulates human responses. Indeed that is the definition.

That doesn't make it smart or reliable.

This is just a way to avoid individual responsibility. The computer did it, see?

Today's top brass are all about avoiding individual responsibility.
It has been so since at least the Vietnam conflict.

A bunch of sergeant Schultz types.

[fella]

“Don’t you want to play a game?”

[T.B. Yoits]

Sam Brinton, a former nuclear energy official in the Jao Bai-din administration. Artificial woman and artificial intelligence.

[Future Snake Eater]

I worked aspects of this problem when I was at STRATCOM. It’s kind of a big deal. The new AI systems we’re working on could really help. Just have to convince the services and components to spend the money and train the personnel. It’ll be a significant commitment, and it’s not as cool as shiny new bombers or subs.

[BiteYourSelf]

Do you want to play a game.🙄

[teeman8r]

My favorite line was “Hell, I’d piss on a spark plug if I thought it would work!”

have used that many a time... to awkward stares...

great line

[xkaydet65]

Yes, but the scariest in the series was The Mule.