With the progression of technology and its increasing role in warfare, the United States wants to stay ahead of its adversaries and be proactive when it comes to the utilization of these new technologies. As such, the United States’ government, in particular Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, released the “Third Offset Strategy” (Eaglen). This plan hopes to exploit the advances in technology and in turn use this to aid in maintaining military superiority. Other countries such as Russia and China continue to find new ways to use technology for military purposes, and with this strategy, the United States hopes to win the race to military technology superiority. Robotics and unmanned systems are two of the big components of the “Third Offset Strategy,”
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If we rely solely on robots and unmanned systems, there is the potential for atrocities to occur without anyone accepting responsibility. Thus, cyber and electronic warfare could lead to utter chaos, and this would ultimately counteract the positive aspects of technology. Unfortunately, pressure from China and Russia could ultimately lead to humans playing a very reduced role in warfare. Mentioning the ideas of Deputy Defense Secretary, Bob Work, Sydney Freedberg claims, “Since the revolution in artificial intelligence and robotics is being driven by the commercial sector, and software crosses borders very easily, it’s entirely possible for the Russians and Chinese to exploit the same technologies we do, Work said. In fact, their more flexible ethics may allow them to exploit technologies we don’t” (Freedberg). While our ethics may prevent us from utilizing technology in the same way as the Chinese and Russians, we could eventually steer away from our moral code if it provides an advantage. This poses a major problem within the “Third Offset …show more content…
Instead, these new technologies will serve as a complement to humans. Regarding this aspect of the “Third Offset Strategy,” Freedberg declares, “By contrast, the US offset strategy is all about empowering humans with machines, not replacing them. As impressive as computers can be, after all, every mammal is the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolution … that means human beings still bring something to the battlefield” (Freedberg). Humans will always have a place in warfare, and the ability to make rational decisions separates humans from robots and unmanned systems. Thus, if the two work as a team, not only will morality be taken into account on the human side, but also technology can help expedite certain processes within warfare. In particular, Freedberg explains that, “Computers will help humans sort through masses of data, react to threats moving too fast for human reflexes, and control automated wingmen or weapons- but the humans will always be making the larger decisions” (Freedberg). The emphasis here is the advantage that arises when humans and technology work together as opposed to in isolation. Furthermore, Freedberg goes on to say, “That centaur-like synergy of machine speed and human insight, Work feels, will provide a crucial advantage over adversaries who rely on either alone” (Freedberg). Machines
If we rely solely on robots and unmanned systems, there is the potential for atrocities to occur without anyone accepting responsibility. Thus, cyber and electronic warfare could lead to utter chaos, and this would ultimately counteract the positive aspects of technology. Unfortunately, pressure from China and Russia could ultimately lead to humans playing a very reduced role in warfare. Mentioning the ideas of Deputy Defense Secretary, Bob Work, Sydney Freedberg claims, “Since the revolution in artificial intelligence and robotics is being driven by the commercial sector, and software crosses borders very easily, it’s entirely possible for the Russians and Chinese to exploit the same technologies we do, Work said. In fact, their more flexible ethics may allow them to exploit technologies we don’t” (Freedberg). While our ethics may prevent us from utilizing technology in the same way as the Chinese and Russians, we could eventually steer away from our moral code if it provides an advantage. This poses a major problem within the “Third Offset …show more content…
Instead, these new technologies will serve as a complement to humans. Regarding this aspect of the “Third Offset Strategy,” Freedberg declares, “By contrast, the US offset strategy is all about empowering humans with machines, not replacing them. As impressive as computers can be, after all, every mammal is the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolution … that means human beings still bring something to the battlefield” (Freedberg). Humans will always have a place in warfare, and the ability to make rational decisions separates humans from robots and unmanned systems. Thus, if the two work as a team, not only will morality be taken into account on the human side, but also technology can help expedite certain processes within warfare. In particular, Freedberg explains that, “Computers will help humans sort through masses of data, react to threats moving too fast for human reflexes, and control automated wingmen or weapons- but the humans will always be making the larger decisions” (Freedberg). The emphasis here is the advantage that arises when humans and technology work together as opposed to in isolation. Furthermore, Freedberg goes on to say, “That centaur-like synergy of machine speed and human insight, Work feels, will provide a crucial advantage over adversaries who rely on either alone” (Freedberg). Machines