Description: Artificial intelligence—possessed by machines—has the potential to transform how we live by enabling them to perform tasks requiring human intelligence but at speeds and capacities far exceeding those possessed by individual people. AI in military systems has the potential to greatly increase their reach, capacity, and lethality. Thus, it is important for military wargamers to understand the possible impacts of military AI to ensure that their games remain useful tools for military analysis. The presentation will discuss artificial intelligence and how it is used, or could be used in the near future, in AI-enabled military systems, to include autonomous combat systems. It will discuss how AI-enabled military systems can be represented in wargames and it will discuss a recently developed RAND Corporation wargame that included autonomous Army robotic combat vehicles.
Bio: Dr. Sean Barnett is an adjunct engineer at the RAND Corporation. He is a defense analyst, nuclear engineer, and attorney, with over 35 years of experience in the fields of national security, energy, and law. At RAND, most of his work has involved military operational assessments and wargaming. He has published several reports and articles related to wargaming and he has also co-authored a book on the potential impact of alternative technologies on the battle of Gettysburg. On the hobby/commercial side he has been involved with wargaming for many years and he has written short books of wargaming scenarios centered on the World War II battles of Villers-Bocage and Operation Epsom. He is currently the Outreach Coordinator for the greater Washington, D.C. area for the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society and he is a Georgetown alumnus, earning a J.D. from the Law Center in 1997.
