Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been highlighted by the British Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps, as a critical factor in strengthening security alliances, such as the increasingly significant AUKUS alliance involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Shapps mentioned that ‘we’re closely monitoring and actively engaged in these matters.’
Shapps remarked on the evolution of warfare, emphasizing the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. He stated, ‘The ability to develop superior defense mechanisms and weaponry has always been pivotal in determining victory in battle, and AI is no exception.’
He stressed the significance of nurturing alliances to bolster collective security efforts, citing the collaboration between the British, American, and Australian forces as a prime example of effective cooperation with bipartisan support on both sides of the Atlantic.
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‘As part of this collaboration, we are advancing technologies like artificial intelligence, which represents the second phase of AUKUS. This innovative initiative will significantly enhance the security of our communities. It exemplifies the strong partnership among Britain, the United States, and Australia.’
Following a multinational meeting on March 13, 2023, during the AUKUS conference in San Diego, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held press briefings. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Established in September 2021, AUKUS initially aimed to assist Australia in acquiring nuclear submarines but swiftly transitioned into a pivotal aspect of surveillance and foreign policy for the participating nations. In response to the escalating Chinese maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific region, the alliance decided in December 2023 to intensify the testing of sea drone defense systems.
The Trusted Operation of Robotic Vehicles in a Contested Environment (TORVICE) was conducted in South Australia in the autumn of 2023 to evaluate the mobility and sensor capabilities of robotic systems and address vulnerabilities faced by autonomous systems in electronic warfare environments. This announcement was made last week.
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AI plays an increasingly crucial role in the security alliance, evident in AUKUS’s assertive stance on autonomous weapons and vehicles. The AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Pillar, also known as Phase II, aims to develop and integrate cutting-edge systems and capabilities, as per the Pentagon.
The U.K. Defense Ministry highlighted that the TORVICE tests, for instance, provided insights into the performance of mechanical terrain vehicles under electro-optical and position, navigation, and timing attacks.
On November 29, 2023, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps met with British Chief of Staff Gen. Patrick Sanders at the STANTA training camp in southeast England. (AFP via Getty Images/Alastair Grant/Pool)
Dr. Peter Shoubridge, Australia’s chief land and combined warfare and defense scientist, emphasized the importance of safely and ethically transitioning reliable mechanical capabilities to warfighters. He, like many others, stressed the necessity of human involvement in the operation of intelligent systems, particularly in defense and weaponry.
Dr. Kimberly Sablon from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Principal Director for Trusted Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy highlighted that TORVICE builds upon the previous trials conducted by AUKUS partners.
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According to a statement from the U.K. Defense Ministry, the team assessed the capabilities of AI-controlled aircraft flocks in the summer of 2023 to gain operational advantages in countering present and future threats across the battlespace, enabling real-time identification and tracking of defense targets.
U.K. Deputy Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. Rob Magowan affirmed the commitment to collaborating with partners to achieve these objectives while advocating for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
To evaluate an AI program’s surveillance capabilities, the AUKUS alliance entrusted it with the control of a drone swarm. (UK Ministry of Defense publication)
PRC spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed China’s opposition to the AUKUS alliance, considering it a misguided and perilous pursuit driven by geopolitical interests, disregarding international concerns.
In the South China Sea, China continues to assert its regional claims, leading to confrontations between foreign coast guards and fishermen in neighboring waters as they vie for control over reefs near the Philippines, resulting in tense encounters.
