Should the government invest in artificial intelligence (AI) for defense applications?

No

Yes, but I think extra precaution should be taken when dealing with AI and there should always be a certain number of human workers to reinforce both authenticity and security on the front line.

Yes, but only within the sphere of research and preparedness until the potential ethical implications are better understood

Yes, with careful consideration of ethical, strategic, technological, security, economic, practical, and political factors, and robust oversight.

This gets dangerous, AI at its current state goes from data provided, to use it for this format would increase the number of civilian casualties

My thoughts on this depend heavily upon the application of the AI usage in question. I strongly believe that AI should not pilot weapon(s) or anything else that could have (even if extremely marginal) a capacity to end someone's life in error.

Geologists use AI detection to measure tectonic shifts for earthquakes; similar applications I think it's totally okay and encouraged.

My reservations on AI has nothing to do with the program(s) themselves and everything to do with the application of said programs.

No, AI should only be used under human supervision or control, and should not be put in charge of making decisions regarding human lives as an AI cannot be held accountable in the event of loss of life.

Only in limited roles. AI is not some miracle answer to everything and it should be used with extreme caution and care, if it is used at all.

AI can be useful in small doses and can not work the way it's supposed to do yes but in a very small amount

Only if it can be proved that there is no bias and that there is transparency as to where the training data comes from

The government should invest in appropriate IT (including AI) to enable a more efficient and effective armed forces.

Again, difficult now that AI is out of the bag. Also needs global protocols similar to those on nuclear weapons

Yes, but only in the interest of improving defensive countermeasures such as anti ballistic missiles, or to increase accuracy of offensive technology to decrease casualties

Yes, but in a publicly controlled way, strictly regulated - should never be used for attack purposes and / or population controle.

It would be useful in many applications but should be heavily monitored/ controlled by the correct human teams

Yes, but only for DEFENCE. No weaponry that can take life. Anti-missile is a great use of AI as it can process information and react far faster than humans can and with the advent of hypersonic missiles and the like... humans simply can't react or cover everything.

Only to provide humans with the likely success of various options. Human beings should ultimately make the decisions.

Yes, but there should ALWAYS be an override. Humans should always have to give a green light before military offensive capabilities are deployed.

Yes, with the exception that this AI is used in conjunction with a human operator in order to maximise the defensive capabilities that the government can put to practice.

Theyre should be limits on what lgrade of wepons AI can be intergrated in and restrictions on their application.

No, not yet - over-reliance on extremely flawed AI solutions will cause more problems than it will solve.

Yes but only AI developed in this country and not from commercial companies or companies based overseas.

No Would need a high Level of accountability as the risk of misuse is very high. It should net be allowed to be used on citizens even after a terrorist attack.

I think more due dilligence would need conducting and confidence reinstalled into the public around public/government contract for me to be reassured in investing in AI for national defense

More research needs done on AI. In this instance I think we should be guided by experts and not politicians

Yes, it is an unfortunate reality that we will need to in order to counter threat actors that are doing the same.

Yes but with extremely tight regulations and back up plans and procedures in case we encounter a difficulty controlling them.

Yes but caution should be used, it shouldn't be given too much power/agency in case it goes rogue in future

Only in limited use cases. AI should not be given the power to kill, it should only assist with intelligence gathering.

Yes, where it will improve defensive strategies but does not allow for complete loss of human control.

Provided there are strict methods to counteract and/or shut down any AI. Should the worse happen, e.g. Sofia Microsoft A.I. becoming possibly sentient

No - but the question is too broad, and the technology is not sufficiently mature to be foolproof yet. Skynet...

AI is a way forward and can do lots of very clever things But humans must be able to make decisions using all avenues not be just reliant on an algorithm. If this had been the case in 50 we would now be in an atomic desert now as soldiers ignored the computers and did what a human thought was right. Not to hit the button... Could though go the other way so you need technology just need some checks and balances in place

Yes however, we must also focus on teaching the population how to stay safe - treat things at the core of the issues and not just invest on how to investigate things faster after the incident has taken place. We cannot raise generations to become too dependent on Ai provisions but should also be developed if a case calls for it - it can then offer the best help.

It depends on how it's being utilised. Generative AI is not a positive thing but AI can be used in so many different ways that this question feels too broad

Whilst useful it goes against one’s personal rights and is unfair against certain races so needs huge improvement before ever being used

Yes. It is naive to think that the other countries would not use this technology offensively. AI could provide essential defense detection which humans simply cannot respond to

In terms of making defence more efficient, but in terms of military capabilities AI lacks empathy that may worsen conflicts, etc. AI is based on the opinions of those who create it and is therefore not representative or necessarily reflects the best options.

The government should invest in training AI for defense, but it should be there as a precautionary measure

No context in how they would use AI. If it was ethical and moral then yes but is a grey area which could result in dangerous applications.

Depends on your definition of "defense applications". Use of fully-automated weaponry should be strictly off the table.

Only if the algorithm that is used is developed in the UK, so as to prevent foreign influence, giving us sovereignty over our own weapon systems and can 100% of the time obey human rights laws and the Geneva convention.

Yes, but only supplementary to and not the main use for defence applications. Caution and regulation needed in the early stages of new technology.

AI can be utilized to speed up process but there needs to be human controls for quality check and security.

Yes but only to shift through raw data to bring relevant information to humans that make the final call on further information to acquire and what actions to take

I believe it can be used for the betterment of the government however it shouldn't be relayed upon as it can be biased and also create unforeseen issues within a certain situation.

Yes, with extreme caution AI is new technology and the UK needs embrace AI to use as an add on support not rely on it

it depends again on how well developed the AI is. how accurate is the information they will use in défense?

Yes but the ai should be able to be over ridden and be able to be completely controlled by humans if something goes wrong

Yes to AI with caution but listen to the experts. I can't see how Asimov's 3 rules of robotics would apply if you're using AI for offensive purposes, but defence often means offence. A conundrum!

Only if the algorithm that is used is developed in the UK, as to prevent foreign influence, giving us sovereignty over our own weapon systems and can 100% of the time obey human rights laws and the Geneva convention. If not then the victims of a war crime committed by AI could never find justice.
You cant convict an algorithm.

Yes, but only if the AI is unbiased, trustworthy and reliable with security measures in place to ensure there is no opportunity for it to be hacked/taken advantage of. AI should only be used to accompany qualified, human knowledge.

Yes, but in areas where no threat to life can be affected (I.e. streamlining procurement and capability enhancement).

because in a world were people use ai for effeicney it will need to be used but should be a tools only not a survelience super computer

Yes but a human must review and agree the decision made

within v. strict boundaries and with objective oversight

They probably already do, can’t put the genie back in the bottle

Yes in a limited capacity such as the protection of UK cyber infrastructure, but an AI should not be power to potentially decide the fate(s) of the lives of people.

It must be safe before any control is given to AI. Until then it could assist only

Not against it as a concept but not a high priority compared to other areas of potential investment

Yes but with huge amounts of transparency on where information is being drawn from, what purpose the AI serves and where money is being invested

Yes, but defensive and assisting only. We should have a global non proliferation treaty for autonomous offensive weapons.

While I disagree with AI in its current form, we need to be first to the table to prevent our own destruction

Generally I'd say no, mainly due to the fear of risk of losing human control but I don't have enough overall knowledge or understanding on this subject to form an opinion on it

I think it’s absolutely critical that we err on the side of caution in regard to AI, so we need to strike a balance between using it to human advantage against allowing it to get out of control

Cybersecurity perhaps, but the AI should not have access to physical weapons or oversee troop deployments.

Yes, but I a purely assistive manner to process information and give recommendations but all final destination are made by a human and ai should have no capabilities to control weapons.

No as one even with good security measures it can still be hacked and corrupted and two we ain't recreating skynet

Yes to keep pace with other superpowers and to limit loss of troop life in reconoitre missions but large scale offense or face targeted assaults must be used with caution.

No, AI technology is nowhere near advanced enough to justify its use in situations that intentionally put peoples' lives and livelihoods at risk.

It depends what other countries are doing - we can't be left behind but at the same time we don't want a world run by AI . There has to be an 'off' switch.

On a case by case basis and only if there is strong evidence that this is the only solution. We should invest more in people and the infrastructure to support more people to be employed instead of relying too heavily on AI which is taking over human jobs

In terms of military application, no, but in terms of defending our infrastructure from cyber attack, yes.

Only for certain use such as detecting or providing messages humans would not otherwise be aware of. But do not take off human positions and allow AI to control them, this leaves room for errors, misuse, corruption, hacking issues, whereas humans in the position have more control. They should work alongside human use.

Yes to help development but not to takeover ultimate decision making. More considered use of its development is required and strict regulatory boards in place to limit roll out of ai tech that has not had full scenario testing of its future impact

As long as the artificial intelligence is being used in a safe and professional manor, and use to pick out signs of criminal activity.

Providing it doesn't threaten the publics privacy, personal security and isn't able to be accessed by the public and only accessible my high level ranking security

Yes. I don’t like the thought of it. But realistically, if we don’t - we will be at a disadvantage against countries who will

As long as we understand how to use AI safely in a way that will prevent human control, then I think it could be good to protect people.But it should never be used to invade peoples privacy and rights

I do not agree with investing more to further develop AI, if it’s already out there and has been beneficial with other countries then yes.

The government should continue to invest in using data in defense project without buying in the hype of naming any data based tool "AI" to get more funding

Not if it’s going to be used as Israel has demonstrated it can be used to justify demolishing civilians using AI to justify bombing targets.

I do think AI could massively support this, however there is a still a long way to go before we can solely rely on it so it’s more complicated.

Current AI applications for military purposes have been proven to be ineffective and dangerous. They are not yet fit for purpose.

Yes, all governments of all nations should improve defence technology! otherwise the invaders will invade

No, in general. But... The use of machines to do human killing is obscene. If humans must continue to kill then it should be without the 'distance' and moral barrier of 'computer says'. AI should be subject to stringent international control but humans lie and cheat so that is not going to happen. Morally we need a block on AI warfare but the argument will be that it's to save lives (and make it easier to steal land and properties). At the least there should be an agreement to use AI only for passive defence from incoming threats... which will ensure that the best defended will become the most arrogant and belligerent. There are no wins without a metanoia in human nature.

Yes provided the algorithm that is used is developed in the UK, to prevent foreign influence and obey human rights laws and the Geneva convention.

It depends on what AI they are investing in and what it's purpose is

Only if the AI is proven to be trustworthy and reliable

Yes but only to keep up with other nations, Ai should never make the decision to kill or harm a life.

Yes but up to a certain level, can’t afford to be left behind if other countries are taking advantage of AI

Only if it works and is more effective than humans.

Where the effects are potentially lethal these should be reviewed by ministers who can be held accountable for decision.