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Admiral Brad Cooper says artificial intelligence is helping process data, but humans are making final decisions.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed the use of advanced AI tools to process vast amounts of data in seconds. He emphasized that these tools enable leaders to make smarter decisions faster, while humans retain control over final targeting decisions.
The confirmation of AI use comes amid increasing calls for an independent investigation into a school bombing in southern Iran that killed over 170 people, mostly children. The US-Israeli campaign has reportedly killed at least 1,300 people in Iran since late February, raising concerns among rights experts about AI's role in warfare.
Reports suggest Israel heavily relied on AI during its war on Gaza, which has resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction since October 2023. In Iran, the US-Israeli bombardment has damaged nearly 20,000 civilian buildings, 77 healthcare facilities, and hit various civilian targets including oil depots, markets, sports venues, schools, and a water desalination plant.
The Trump administration has been actively seeking greater integration of technological tools for military use. This push led to a public dispute with tech firm Anthropic, which was blacklisted as a 'supply chain risk' by Washington after the company insisted its AI models not be used for fully autonomous weapons or mass surveillance, affirming the Pentagon's stance on domination and victory.
China's Defense Ministry spokesperson, Jiang Bin, issued a warning against the excessive and unrestricted military application of AI. He cautioned that using AI to violate national sovereignty or allowing algorithms to decide life and death erodes ethical restraints and accountability in wars, risking a 'technological runaway' akin to the movie 'The Terminator'.