U.S. Army Awards $990M Contract for AI-Enabled Switchblade Loitering Munitions

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AeroVironment won a five-year, $990 million IDIQ contract from the U.S. Army to deliver Switchblade loitering munitions, AI-enabled lethal unmanned systems. These man-portable precision strike missiles will equip infantry with autonomous targeting and engagement capabilities, raising concerns over potential harm inherent in weaponized AI systems.[AI generated]

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

The Switchblade loitering munitions are AI-enabled lethal unmanned systems intended for military use, which inherently carry the potential for causing injury or harm. The article describes the contract and planned delivery but does not report any actual harm or incidents resulting from their use. Therefore, this event constitutes an AI Hazard due to the plausible future harm from the deployment of AI-powered lethal autonomous weapons systems.[AI generated]
AI principles
AccountabilitySafetyRespect of human rightsRobustness & digital securityTransparency & explainabilityDemocracy & human autonomyHuman wellbeing
Industries
Government, security, and defenceRobots, sensors, and IT hardwareMobility and autonomous vehiclesDigital security
Affected stakeholders
General public
Harm types
Physical (death)Physical (injury)Human or fundamental rightsPsychologicalPublic interest
Business function:
ProcurementManufacturingLogistics
AI system task:
Recognition/object detectionGoal-driven organisationReasoning with knowledge structures/planning

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