The Department of Defense has introduced a new artificial intelligence platform named GenAI.mil. Google Cloud’s Gemini will be the inaugural AI tool available on this platform, according to an official press release.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stated that the platform aims to empower military personnel by providing access to advanced AI models, asserting that it will enhance the effectiveness of U.S. forces. He has indicated that this development signifies a new era in American military operations, emphasizing the use of AI technology.
In a separate statement, Google outlined various applications for the platform, which include tasks like summarizing policy documents, creating compliance checklists, and conducting risk assessments. Google clarified that the platform will be restricted to unclassified information and data generated will not be utilized to train its public AI models. Google has previously engaged in contracts with the Department of Defense, including work on the controversial Project Maven drone program. Earlier this year, Google also revisited its stance on the application of AI in military contexts.
Interestingly, the announcement of GenAI.mil caught some government employees off guard. One user on a military forum expressed confusion over the sudden appearance of the tool on their work computer, labeling it as potentially suspicious. Accessing GenAI.mil requires a Department of Defense network, with restrictions preventing outside users from entering the site.
During a recent keynote presentation, Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael indicated that additional AI models would be integrated into the platform in the future, signaling ongoing developments in this area.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/841219/google-gemini-us-military-ai-platform-genai-mil