The director-general of the Defence Ministry has stated that Israel plans to use its advanced technology to become a dominant force in the field of artificial intelligence. This would enable the country to develop newer and more efficient methods of autonomous warfare and faster decision-making during combat.
According to a retired army general Eyal Zamir, the key to taking advantage of the fast-paced advancements in AI is to create a specific group within the military ministry that focuses on robotics. Additionally, the budget for research and development in this area should be increased to a record level this year.
Zamir identified two areas of deep-learning technology, GPT and AGI, that are currently being developed by civilian AI industries but could potentially be used for military purposes, according to Reuters. These advancements could include the ability for multiple platforms to attack simultaneously, combat systems that can operate autonomously, the merging of data for quick decision-making, and on a larger scale than ever before.
The Israeli government did not disclose the amount of funding allocated for AI. The military revealed that they have already implemented some autonomous systems. They announced they would use robot surveillance jeeps to patrol the Gaza Strip border by 2021.
Israel Aerospace Industries recently revealed an autonomous submarine that has gathered intelligence for several hours. The state owns the submarine and has been in operation for a while.
Israel's Success in Cyber Warfare
Eyal attributed Israel's success in cyber warfare (which is believed to have been used against Iranian nuclear facilities) to their ability to recognize and understand the importance of defense, economics, national security, and international relations. He also stated that their goal is to make Israel a leader in artificial intelligence and be among the few world powers in this field.
In addition to AI's military applications, Israel is investing heavily in developing civilian technologies that can be used for various industries. Startups and research institutions are working on innovations such as medical diagnostic tools, agricultural automation systems, and self-driving vehicles.
The government has established several programs to support the growth of these technologies, including tax incentives for companies conducting R&D activities and funding opportunities for startups. The Israeli startup scene is known worldwide as a hub of innovation, with many successful examples like Waze (acquired by Google) or Mobileye (acquired by Intel).
However, there are concerns about how AI will affect society at large. Some argue that it could exacerbate existing inequalities if certain groups have more access to technology than others or algorithms reinforce biases against marginalized communities.
To address these challenges proactively while maintaining their technological edge in AI development requires collaboration between industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, NGO advocates, and stakeholders who share common goals towards advancing responsible use cases across different domains from healthcare education, public safety transportation, environmental sustainability, privacy security ethics governance etcetera
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