DoD launches generative AI task force to guide innovation, risk assessment

Reckoning with the growing attention on and potential of artificial intelligence, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) last week created a generative AI task force to analyze, integrate and responsibly utilize large language models, and more.

These efforts were gathered under the umbrella of Task Force Lima, as led by the Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO). Members will assess, synchronize and utilize generative AI capabilities across the whole of DoD to ensure safe usage, without falling behind the curve. The task force will therefore work with other partners across the department, the Intelligence Community and other government agencies.

“The DoD has an imperative to responsibly pursue the adoption of generative AI models while identifying proper protective measures and mitigating national security risks that may result from issues such as poorly managed training data,” said Dr. Craig Martell, the DoD Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer. “We must also consider the extent to which our adversaries will employ this technology and seek to disrupt our own use of AI-based solutions.”

Creation of the task force was directed by Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense. In her announcement, she stated that the future of defense was not just about adopting cutting-edge technology, but doing so with foresight, responsibility and an understanding of its broader, national implications. The technology has surged in recent months, as numerous industries reckon with its capabilities, which have gradually improved along with technological capabilities over the years.

For DoD’s purposes, it can utilize vast datasets to train algorithms and efficiently generate products, but it could also become increasingly useful in war, business, health, readiness and policy. As such, the noted consideration of implications could also prove important, given the ongoing concerns from numerous sectors of readiness of the technology and how it could harm workers.