Charles Lyons-Burt
Artificial intelligence-based technologies have been increasing in scope and magnitude in their usage in both government and commercial spaces in recent years. 2022 was a banner year for AI: on the public sector side, the Department of Defense formed its Chief Digital and AI Office in Feb. 2022, combining previously separate functions to create a more unified defense outfit for the emerging field. On the private sector end, OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot was launched in November, causing the entire AI market to experience a surge in interest and attention. The bot resolves questions and commands at a moment’s notice via machine learning programming.
DOD leaders are cautiously optimistic about integrating ChatGPT into its processes and strategies. While she acknowledged that in its current iteration, the bot has knowledge limitations and has made significant inaccuracy blunders, Principal Director for Trusted AI and Autonomy in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Kimberly Sablon says it ultimately has the potential to increase efficiency and expedite activities at the Pentagon.
Want to hear more from Sablon, who is seen as the DOD’s main AI authority, about AI and facilitating the technology in a sustainable way? Be sure to attend ExecutiveBiz’s Trusted AI and Autonomy Forum. This Sep. 12 breakfast event will be hosted at Falls Church, Virginia’s exquisite 2941 Restaurant and Sablon will be delivering the keynote address. Register here.
“There’s a lot of good there in terms of how we can utilize large language models like it to disrupt critical functions across the department,” Sablon said of ChatGPT at a Hawaii science and technology conference in March. She noted that it could be applied to generate computer code or perform intelligence analysis, candidly sharing that the DOD has “struggled to attract coders.” ChatGPT, Sablon reasoned, could enable intensified military software development.
But despite its breadth of possible applications, practitioners ought to maintain a cautious stance toward the service until it has fully matured, Sablon says. She believes that among its threats are its capacity to produce code that can be used for ill as well as phishing emails that are more covert and whose guises are more believable. The bot could also help spread false information and perpetrate deep fakes, the executive warned.
And no matter what the DOD wants, OpenAI, the bot’s San Francisco-based manufacturer, is reportedly hesitant to allow its product to be used for military purposes, indicating there are lines it will not cross but not explicitly stating what those boundaries are. It is also reportedly considering a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Time will tell if OpenAI will act on Sablon’s encouragement and share their resources with the DOD.
Come to ExecutiveBiz’s Trusted AI and Autonomy Forum on Sept. 12 at 2941 Restaurant to hear exclusive thoughts from Sablon about ChatGPT’s future in the government and more! Register here. You will also have the chance to network with esteemed peers and colleagues and enjoy a delicious breakfast.
