AI 'pilots' are getting so good they're sometimes beating humans in dogfights
US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young
- Some AI-controlled fighter jets are outperforming human pilots in dogfights, per the AP.
- The outlet witnessed an hourlong experimental flight at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.
- The Air Force is reportedly planning a fleet of more than 1,000 AI-enabled unmanned warplanes.
Some AI-controlled F-16 fighter jets are already outperforming human pilots in dogfights, according to a report from the Associated Press.
The AP reported this finding after witnessing an hourlong experimental flight at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.
During the flight, the AI-controlled F-16, called Vista, performed maneuvers at more than 550 miles an hour with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on board.
While the AI system is still in its early days, the AP reported that some versions of the tech are learning so rapidly that they have outperformed pilots in air-to-air combat.
Representatives for the US military did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.
The US Air Force has been actively exploring AI, which has been cited as a transformative technology for military action globally.
Although the technology is not yet fully developed, the AP reported that the force plans to build up a fleet of more than 1,000 AI-enabled unmanned warplanes. The first AI-controlled jets are set to be in operation by 2028, per the report.
Kendall told the outlet he'd seen enough during the experimental flight to trust the technology to decide whether to launch weapons in a war.
Industry experts and human rights activists have warned an using AI to make autonomous decisions during military action could lead to errors and unintended casualties.
A recent report claimed Israel was using AI to help identify targets in its war against Hamas without thorough human oversight. The IDF denied the claims at the time in a statement to BI.