In its most recent budget request, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is asking for increased spending for key AI projects focused on human-machine teams, AI reasoning, and highly autonomous AIs that follow the Defense Department’s AI ethics principles. DARPA is seeking funding for programs like Rapid Experimental Missionized Autonomy (REMA) and Autonomy Standards and Ideals with Military Operational Values (ASIMOV).
REMA seeks to enhance drones with autonomous operation capabilities, with DARPA requesting $13.8 million for the program. ASIMOV aims to test how well autonomous weapons adhere to safety and ethics principles, with a request of $22 million for this year.
A new program called Access in AI and Human-Machine Symbiosis will focus on improving chatbots and large language models for better human-AI interactions, with DARPA requesting $13 million for this initiative. Another program will look at large language models to improve abstract reasoning and communication between humans and AI, with a request of $9.5 million.
DARPA is also looking to advance AI pilots with the Air Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program, requesting nearly $41 million to automate tactical control tasks and enable vehicles to perform missions with minimal human oversight. Previous DARPA funding in AI has led to commercial advancements, such as Siri, indicating that military advancements in AI could shape the field for years to come.
