Book Review by Frank Cerwin
Four Battlegrounds: The Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
By Paul Scharre 2023, W.W. Norton & Co.
The author, Paul Scharre is the vice president and director of studies at the Center for a New American Security. He is a former Pentagon policy analyst and a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with expertise in autonomous weapons – weaponized AI! In his book, Scharre explores ways AI systems are discovering new strategies via war-game simulations, developing combat tactics, and tracking billions of people in China. He takes readers inside the fierce competition between the super-powers (US, China, and Europe) to develop and implement this game-changing technology to become the dominate country. He explores in detail four key categories that define capability: data, computing power, talent, and institutions. Data must be collected and refined. Technology is advancing thru powerful computer chips and control over the supply chain provides leverage. Talent is about people who can perform the best research. Lastly, the critical importance of institutions that can effectively incorporate AI into their economy, society, and military.
The importance of data in this battle for dominance is emphasized as the first of the key capability categories. A quote from Major Matt Cook of the Joint AI Center within the US Armed Forces makes that point perfectly clear: “A lot of folks are mesmerized by the idea and mystique of the algorithm… but it’s having the quality data…to build the algorithm that’s going to be the ‘X Factor”. Colonel Jason Brown of the Joint AI Center further states a fact that most of us have known for many years: “Finding data, conditioning data, and building up business practices that give you consistent data in the condition you need it, at the volume you need it, is really challenging”. It becomes clear in this book that the USA has a responsibility to understand how AI is being used by unfriendly powers and be able to stay one step ahead. Sharre describes unethical data usage against us enabled by deep fakes, facial recognition, and poison data that is used to fool machine learning.
AI is already transforming warfare, global security, and human freedom. Albeit, a bit scary, this book provides a clear understanding that we all need to have as we look to the future, rely on our elected officials for guidance and governance, and strive to remain at the forefront of AI.