Chinese military issues warning about AI

The Chinese military recently warned that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replace human decision-making on the battlefield, according to the South China Morning Post today, January 2.

"AI must work in tandem with human decision-makers to optimize command efficiency, enhancing rather than replacing humans," the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) stressed in an article published in the PLA Daily on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2024.

Chinese soldiers during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 2019.

AI can be used to augment human capabilities, through data analysis, simulation or planning, but it cannot replace them, the article also said. "As it evolves, AI must remain a tool guided by human judgment, ensuring accountability, creativity and strategic adaptability remain at the forefront of military decision-making," the article said.

In the article, the PLA emphasizes that human autonomy and creativity are indispensable on the battlefield. The PLA argues that while human commanders can react to situations dynamically and exploit enemy weaknesses, AI operates within predetermined algorithmic boundaries and its responses often lack originality.

The PLA leans toward a “humans plan and AI execute” model, in which technology is used to execute strategies and tactics developed by commanders while retaining an element of human oversight.

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The PLA also favors a structure where machines analyze data, provide insights, and recommend potential actions. However, “ultimate decisions rest with human commanders, ensuring resistance to errors stemming from the black-box nature of AI,” according to the PLA.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quan-doi-trung-quoc-ra-canh-bao-ve-ai-18525010214511349.htm