How the Pentagon is adapting to China’s technological rise
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Summary
In a Q&A with MIT Technology Review, Kathleen Hicks, the former US deputy secretary of defence who stepped down last year, reflects on the US military’s challenges in adapting to a new era of geopolitical competition, and the future role of AI.
She says China is the US’ biggest pacing challenge due to the speed at which it gains certain capabilities, and while it is a “talented fast follower”, the US still has an advantage when it comes to organic innovation.
Hicks highlights how the US military needs to move away from a serial acquisition process for certain technologies such as drones and toward a parallel process that integrates hardware, software, policy and testing all at once.
AI will play a central role in the future of warfare to enable faster, more accurate decision-making and the integration of capabilities to reduce civilian casualties and deter effectively, says Hicks.