US military expands use of artificial intelligence amid calls for safeguards
US military expands use of artificial intelligence amid calls for safeguards
Publish Date: 2026-05-31 10:12:00
Source Domain: www.emirates247.com
Pentagon push for battlefield AI draws caution from military leaders and concerns from tech firms
Tampa: The Trump administration is moving to expand the use of artificial intelligence in the U.S. military, while facing calls from some companies and military leaders to introduce safeguards around the rapidly evolving technology.
Adm. Frank Bradley, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, told attendees at a recent special forces conference in Tampa that troops “have to be very careful about how we approach AI’s deployment and its role in delivering lethal force.”
Bradley said he can envision a future where AI determines targets but stressed that “we, as humans, must have the confidence that it will deliver force only where we intend.”
His remarks, highlighting the need for safeguards, come as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushes to rapidly expand AI use in the military. This effort has led to tensions with some technology companies concerned about safety measures.
Hegseth has argued that the Pentagon should be allowed to use AI in any legal way. Speaking to SpaceX employees in January, he said he would reject AI models “that won’t allow you to fight wars,” adding that systems should operate “without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications.”
The use of AI in the military is part of a broader push by the administration to strengthen what it sees as a key U.S. advantage, even as pressure grows to ensure responsible safeguards.
President Donald Trump also scrapped plans to sign a new AI executive order, citing concerns that it could weaken the country’s competitive edge. “We’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that gets in the way of that lead,” he said.
A Pentagon official said efforts are focused on developing “functional battlefield tools” to help troops identify targets more quickly and accelerate operations.
Officials at U.S. Special Operations Command emphasized that AI…
