Episode 62

Power in the Age of AI with Author Paul Scharre

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June 7th, 2023

47 mins 20 secs

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About this Episode

Paul Scharre, Vice President and Director of Studies, at Center for a New American Security (CNAS), joins Carolyn and Mark to dive into his newest book, Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. From the first time he recognized the power AI could hold, to the ways AI may put us on a path to global peace, Paul offers valuable insight and perspective on the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Key Topics

  • [01:44] About Paul Scharre
  • [02:50] When Paul Scharre recognized the power of AI
  • [07:17] The four Elements of the Battlegrounds
  • [12:57] Paul Scharre's take on the technological divide in the United States, and how we can solve it
  • [20:10] U.S.'s standing in comparison to Nation-State adversaries
  • [26:18] Establishing globally agreed upon AI guardrails
  • [31:45] The exponential growth of AI
  • [42:12] Top requirements to achieve global peace

Quotable Quotes

On Paul's main focus when working at the Pentagon: "How can we use robotics to help create more distance between our service members and threats?" - Paul Scharre

Role of humans in AI: "Having data and computing hardware, having chips alone, doesn't get you to some meaningful AI tool. You also need the human talent" - Paul Scharre

On adversary AI advancement: "Fundamentally, both the US and China are going to have access to AI technology, to robust AI ecosystems, big tech companies, startups within each country, and the bigger challenge is going to be: How does the military take this technology, work with its civilian AI scientists, and then translate this into useful military applications?" - Paul Scharre

About Our Guest

Paul Scharre is the Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security. Prior to this role and becoming an award-winning author, Scharre worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) where he played a leading role in establishing policies on unmanned and autonomous systems and emerging weapons technologies. He led the Department of Defense (DoD) working group that drafted DoD Directive 3000.09, establishing the department’s policies on autonomy in weapon systems. He also led DoD efforts to establish policies on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs and directed energy technologies.

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