Can generative AI play a role in national security?
The launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI marked a significant moment in the evolution of artificial intelligence. The rapid adoption of generative AI has prompted broad conversation on the potentials and pitfalls of open-ended AI systems.
Ron Keesing, Leidos senior vice president for technology integration, discussed the challenges of generative AI at Catholic University of America’s “Generative AI and National Security” conference.
“With big AI systems like ChatGPT, there are even bigger worries, like who gets to use all the data these AIs learn from, who holds the power in the AI world, and how much energy these things eat up,” Keesing shared. “Plus, there’s the whole issue of keeping things safe, especially when you think about national security and not letting sensitive info slip through the cracks.”
While commercial sectors have rapidly integrated generative AI into their operations, the national security domain has taken a more cautious stance. Using generative AI and large language models can offer significant enhancements to operational efficiency and decision-making, but it can also pose unique threats if misused or compromised.
A balanced approach to use AI safely
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of AI for national security — such as optimizing operational workflows, improving decision-making processes, and cost reductions — cannot be overlooked, requiring a balanced and careful approach to its adoption.
“There’s this realization that AI could seriously help out, like making things run faster, helping make decisions, and cutting costs,” Keesing added. “The problem is figuring out how to use this tech without inviting trouble.”
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Leidos has more than a decade of experience delivering trusted, ethical AI, and Keesing emphasized the importance of security as a foundational element, advocating for the use of existing protocols and tools to safeguard against potential breaches.
