According to the South China Morning Post, China is working to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to upgrade the computer systems of its nuclear submarines to enhance the underlying thinking ability of the commander. Enhanced smart submarines equipped with AI systems will not only give the Chinese navy the upper hand in maritime operations, but also allow the application of AI technology to expand into new areas of military operations.
The concept behind this progress is not only to give China an advantage over other countries and to assist commanders in decision-making, but more importantly, to eliminate human error. In the past, nuclear submarines were controlled almost entirely by naval personnel. Now, as AI technology catches up with the intelligence of the human brain, coupled with advances in machine learning, it is expected that these new types of smart submarines will gather knowledge, improve their skills, and develop new strategies without human intervention.
This AI submarine system acts like a human brain, and although it is also trying to replicate the human brain, it has the ability to identify threats faster and more accurately than military personnel. This is why Chinese scientists believe that AI is ready to replace most human decisions.
The data provided to the submarine will come from the Chinese navy's observation network, sensors on the submarine and daily interactions with the crew. More importantly, neural networks will enhance machine learning.
20180208_submarine_NT01P1 AI-equipped submarine system can identify threats faster and more accurately than humans (Source: Pixabay)
Machine rebellion?
This AI infusion system must provide basic requirements and be closely compatible with the submarine's existing computer systems. "It's like putting an elephant in a shoebox," the researchers said. "The military's biggest concern isn't fancy features. Their biggest concern was that the thing didn't go away during the climax of the fight. "
An unnamed scientist involved in the project told the South China Morning Post that the AI system had to be able to generate basic commands while being sophisticated and compatible with the submarine's existing computer systems. "It's like putting an elephant in a shoebox," the scientist said. "The military's most important thing is not fancy functionality, but not being able to make mistakes in the heat of battle."
Zhu Min, chief scientist of the deep water exploration project of the Institute of Acoustics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that artificial intelligence weapons are the next step for the Chinese military. He also warned that these systems must be carefully programmed lest a runaway system trigger a nuclear arsenal that would destroy an entire continent.
"Before introducing AI into a submarine, these are of course risks that the ruling authorities must consider first," Zhu Min said.
On the other hand, Deng Zhidong, a professor of computer science at Tsinghua University in China, pointed out that the chance of an AI-powered machine rebelling against human society is arguably zero — at least with current technology.
"An AI-powered machine is still a machine," Deng Zhidong said. "It doesn't have life. You can turn it off or switch to manual mode at any time." The same is true for nuclear submarines.
Still, the nuclear submarine is one of the most complex machines of wartime, and it can take more than 20 years to develop a design idea into a complete product.
Do you have any views on China's development of nuclear submarines with AI?
Article source: https://www.electronicproducts.com/Robotics/AI/China_is_designing_AI_enabled_nuclear_submarines_that_can_think_for_themselves.aspx