Microsoft's HoloLens-Based Military AR Glasses Initially Harm Soldiers, Improved Version Passes Tests

Thumbnail Image

The information displayed in the AIM should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its member countries.

Microsoft's AI-enabled HoloLens-based IVAS augmented reality glasses, developed for the US Army, initially caused physical harm (nausea, dizziness) to soldiers during testing. After significant improvements, the latest version has reportedly resolved these issues and passed intensive military evaluations, securing continued interest and a potential multi-billion dollar contract.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event involves an AI system (mixed reality glasses with AI components) being developed and tested for military use. While the military application implies potential risks, the article does not report any realized harm or malfunction. The focus is on the development progress and planned future testing, which could plausibly lead to harm in the future but has not yet done so. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Hazard rather than an AI Incident or Complementary Information.[AI generated]
AI principles
SafetyRobustness & digital securityHuman wellbeingAccountability
Industries
Government, security, and defenceRobots, sensors, and IT hardware
Affected stakeholders
Workers
Harm types
Physical (injury)ReputationalEconomic/Property
Severity
AI hazard
Business function:
Research and developmentMonitoring and quality control
AI system task:
Recognition/object detectionContent generation

Articles about this incident or hazard

Thumbnail Image

Segunda oportunidad para las HoloLens: una versión mejorada cautiva al Ejército de EE.UU.

2023-09-15
LaVanguardia
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The HoloLens mixed reality glasses qualify as an AI system due to their advanced sensor processing and augmented reality capabilities. The initial prototype caused direct physical harm (dizziness and nausea) to users, which fits the definition of an AI Incident (harm to health). The article reports on the incident and subsequent improvements, indicating the AI system's development and use led to harm that is now being addressed. Therefore, this event is classified as an AI Incident.
Thumbnail Image

Las gafas de realidad mixta de Microsoft convencen al ejército de Estados Unidos en su renovada versión

2023-09-14
Mundo Deportivo
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system (mixed reality glasses with AI components) being developed and tested for military use. While the military application implies potential risks, the article does not report any realized harm or malfunction. The focus is on the development progress and planned future testing, which could plausibly lead to harm in the future but has not yet done so. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Hazard rather than an AI Incident or Complementary Information.
Thumbnail Image

Las HoloLens parecían ser una guerra perdida para Microsoft. Una versión mejorada ha conquistado al Ejército de EEUU

2023-09-13
Xataka
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The HoloLens devices are AI systems used by the military. The initial versions caused physical harm (nausea and dizziness) to users, which would have qualified as an AI Incident if the article focused on that harm. However, the article mainly reports that the latest version has mitigated these issues and that further testing is ongoing. There is no indication of current harm or malfunction causing injury or other harms. Therefore, the event is best classified as an AI Hazard, reflecting the plausible risk of harm from earlier versions and the ongoing potential for harm if issues reoccur, but no current incident is reported.
Thumbnail Image

Las gafas tácticas de realidad aumentada IVAS 1.2 basadas en HoloLens ya no marean a los soldados del ejército estadounidense - Microsoft mantiene vivas las posibilidades de conseguir un contrato de 21.900 millones de dólares

2023-09-14
gagadget.com
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The IVAS system is an AI-enabled augmented reality system used by the military, so an AI system is involved. The article discusses prior harms (physical discomfort) caused by an earlier version, but these have been addressed, and no current harm is reported. The article focuses on successful testing, contract signing, and future plans, which are updates on the AI system's development and deployment. There is no indication of new harm or plausible future harm from the current version. Thus, the article provides complementary information about the AI system's improvement and ongoing evaluation rather than reporting an AI Incident or AI Hazard.