environment where robots and AI decision aids augment the human , not replace them ,” he says , explaining that , although the Hollywood version of AI soldiers is not yet reality , the core technology is certainly in play and its potential increases every day . “ Our operational focus for the accelerated and impactful deployment of AI centres on how we Defend , Maneuver , Resupply and Shoot ( Navy fires ).”
AI , Robotics and the front line As the field of robotics and AI steadily advances , the use cases increase . Robots already replace humans in several sectors across industry , from manufacturing to medicine . Elon Musk has also recently unveiled his first humanoid robot . So , where does the field of robotics fit in when it comes to the military ? Will we be seeing a not-too-distant future filled with soldier bots – or their equivalents ?
On this point , much speculated over the years , Vaughan is noncommittal – but he is happy to frame the conversation in terms of frontline implications .
“ I think the most apt characterisation is , in a word , “ hybrid ”. An operational
An achievable deadline Frontline battle tech aside , the priority right now is to hit the 2025 AI-enablement deadline , as set out in the five-year plan by the US President and Congress .
Ultimately , says Vaughan , it ' s about code , coding and more coding – and then it ’ s all about the manner of delivery . “ Whether it ' s the application , the development , or the practice of how you write code , how a sailor or marine works with technologists to make sure the code is both correct and effective , or how you deliver it to a warfighter or a user – and then how you tune it , sustain it and ensure it ' s running properly and within desired parameters – all those are part of what we would call the AI tradecraft or competency .”
“ So , if there ' s any bumper sticker here , that is probably it : the Navy treats AI as a competency . Done right , it ’ s a harmonious synthesis of human and technologic elements . I think that ' s important , because a lot of people get fixated on AI as a technology and lose the human element when that is precisely the goal of AI , at least for the US Navy . It takes good , humanfocused practice and skills to do it right and deploy it effectively .”
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