The Defense Department has formed a new center that will oversee artificial intelligence efforts across services and DoD amid efforts of China and Russia to dominate AI, Breaking Defense reported Friday.
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan wrote in a memo released Thursday the joint artificial intelligence center will report to Dana Deasy, DoD chief information officer, and develop a set of common AI standards, reusable technology, shared data and processes for the Pentagon.
Deasy should consult with other DoD entities, Joint Staff, services and combatant commands and come up with a report within a month on the preliminary list of “National Mission Objectives†in order for JAIC to begin work by Sept. 27, according to the memo.
The services and other agencies within the Pentagon will coordinate with the CIO each AI project that is worth more than $15 million annually and selected AI projects will immediately get fiscal 2018 funds to speed up their implementation under JAIC, which Shanahan said will ensure AI safety and military ethics.
The document states that the $15 million threshold will be assessed on an annual basis as “investments in AI mature†and that JAIC will also work with other agencies, industry, academic institutions and allies to advance the technology.