Accession Number:

AD1112360

Title:

The United States Air Force and Artificial Intelligence: Moving Forward by Learning from Past Technology Implementation

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Research Paper]

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE FELLOWS PROGRAM MAXWELL AFB ALSAM NUNN SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ATLANTA GA

Personal Author(s):

• Wagemann, John P. Jr

Report Date:

2020-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

27

Abstract:

Artificial Intelligence AI has reemerged as a buzzword across the world in recent years. The potential benefits from AI span across society, from finance to medical care, and agriculture to transportation. One of the most potentially significant areas of AI implementation is in the worlds militaries. There are incredible benefits for those forces who can adopt AI and the significant risks for those forces who fail to adapt. This paper examines historical examples that may inform how the Unites States Air Force USAF may best adopt AI. This paper examines the historical roots of radar development through World War II and the advent of stealth technology through the F117A as well as examines studies on how the Department of Defense has adopted commercialofftheshelf technology and software in the past. The paper then examines areas of symmetry between these past technologies and AI to determine effective technology adoption methods. Finally, this paper offers several functional recommendations to ensure the effective and efficient adoption of AI in the future.

Descriptors:

• air force
• artificial intelligence
• department of defense
• aircrafts
• abstracts
• acquisition
• defense systems
• military equipment
• national security
• security
• software development
• standards
• united states
• congress
• employment
• engineering
• image recognition
• scientific research
• air power
• cognition

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Defense Systems
• Cybernetics

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]