Google Increasing Artificial Intelligence in Military Spy Drones

Google recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense in an effort to aid in the development of smarter drone software. The company is equipping the government agency with machine-learning software that will improve functionality and help computers to better detect objects in surveillance drone footage.

The partnership is part of an initiative called Project Maven, which the Department of Defense intends to improve America’s ability to win wars “with computer algorithms and artificial intelligence,” a feat achieved by rapidly upgrading the military’s ability to analyze drone footage. The primary goal is the development of artificial intelligence capable of detecting 38 classes of objects, which will allow data analysts to comb through millions of hours of video captured each year by drones surveilling combat zones.

According to Marine Corps Col. Drew Cukor, artificial intelligence will not be selecting a target anytime soon. Rather, it will serve to aid human operators. Google is helping the department with this feat by providing TensorFlow application programming interfaces (APIs), which are typically used in building neural networks.

“This specific project is a pilot with the Department of Defense, to provide open source TensorFlow APIs that can assist in object recognition on unclassified data,” said a representative for Google in a recent statement. “The technology flags images for human review and is for non-offensive uses only.”

The technology will allow drones to distinguish between civilians and military fighters, schools and military bunkers, etc. It is easy to see why the company would want to lend out its technology in an effort to limit civilian casualties. It will also aid the military in detecting and warning of approaching threats.

However, a great deal of controversy surrounds the company and its move to become involved in military operations. Prior to this decision, Google had resisted working with the military in any form other than through contracts allowing access to Google Earth and search hardware. Upon acquiring Boston Dynamics in 2013, Google publicly announced that it would honor the company’s existing military contracts, but it would not be pursuing new work with the Department of Defense, nor would it become a military contractor.

Many are outraged over the move to use artificial intelligence to aid in military combat. Some Google employees have also spoken out about the company’s decision to lend its technology to controversial drone operations, particularly as it contradicts the company’s previous stance.

Despite the backlash, various countries around the world are funding and developing artificial intelligence of their own, which will be similarly used for military purposes. Cukor described this as an AI arms race. “No area will be left unaffected by the impact of this technology,” he said.

Did you miss this?

Other Popular Stories

  • Canada-US trade as it should be, but diversification desirable: report
  • GM restructuring goes forward with agressive job cuts in Ontario designed to save billions of dollars — at the same time they recruit new hires?
  • Astronauts Harvest Radishes on Space Station
  • Construction giant to revolutionize industry with 3D concrete printing
  • The world's largest carbon capture plant opens in Iceland — will pull 4,000 metric tons per year
  • Canadian oil output to double by 2030 say oil producers
  • Ontario homebuilder first to offer power storage system as option
  • Lobby groups working hard to convince Obama on Keystone
  • Magna International posts strong sales gains in third quarter
  • Engineering and building under water — how is it done, and the modern use of Cofferdams
  • Manufacturing up in December amid uncertainty about future US-Canada relations
  • TransCanada confident Energy East pipeline will be built
  • Airbus Helicopters announces new production at Fort Erie plant
  • Pratt & Whitney Canada announces helicopter engine contracts
  • Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice): ESA's Mission to Jupiter an Exciting New Era in Space Exploration
  • LNG Canada moves ahead with BC project as China and Russia sign huge gas deal
  • Global Response to Autonomous Vehicles
  • With $390 billion in trade at stake, Premier Ford met with manufacturing trade partners; says steel and aluminum tariffs hurt the U.S. more than Canada
  • Bankrupt hockey skate manufacturer bought by Canadian investors
  • Enbridge pipeline reversal approved by National Energy Board
Scroll to Top