US military needs help from private firms and universities to beat China in AI race, says Defence Secretary Mark Esper
- Defence secretary says national effort on par with World War II and space race needed to prevent Chinese military gaining ‘decisive advantage’
- Esper calls for more funding and warns that China is using artificial intelligence to ‘strengthen its grip over its people’
The United States military needs help from private firms and universities to win the artificial intelligence race against its main “strategic competitor” China, according to Pentagon chief Mark Esper.
The US defence secretary warned that the US could not let China dominate the field because “whichever nation harnesses AI first will have a decisive advantage on the battlefield for many, many years”.
The speech at a meeting of politicians, officials and academics in Washington on Tuesday night came as the two countries are locked in a race to dominate AI capabilities, which are increasingly seen as the next military frontier that could make weapons such as “killer robots” possible.
Esper, known for his hawkish views, called for more funding from Congress as well as support from corporations and universities, citing American production efforts during World War II and the space race against the former Soviet Union as examples for AI development to follow.
“Mastering AI will require a similar vision, ambition, and commitment,” he said. “We need the full force of American intellect and ingenuity working in harmony across the public and private sectors. We need your leadership and vision to ensure we maintain a strategic edge.”
Esper pointed out that China is also exporting AI-powered military equipment, including military drones, to the Middle East and is using the technology to develop surveillance techniques that “strengthen its grip over its people”.