An intriguing study of how artificial intelligence is the new frontier for the rivalry between the U.S. and China.AI is reaching into every part of our lives, but one of its most widespread applications is largely unseen to ordinary American citizens. The U.S. military is incorporating AI into nearly every aspect of their operations, from piloting jet fighters to optimizing logistical support. At the same time, other countries, especially China, are advancing their own systems. In fact, China has made no secret of its intention to become the leading player in AI by 2030. Scharre, a former Army Ranger and vice president and director of studies for the Center for a New American Security, understands the realities of war as well as the tech side, so he is well positioned to examine this field. He has already covered some of this ground in his significant 2018 book, Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War. The author identifies four crucial areas: data collection, computing hardware, talent, and institutions. Currently, the U.S. holds the lead, but it is steadily deteriorating. Scharre delves deeply into each area, noting that fundamental differences between authoritarian China and democratic U.S. China's government-driven model provides unity of purpose and unlimited funding but restricts innovation. The American system is disaggregated and somewhat chaotic, but it attracts the best talent and is capable of radical breakthroughs. Scharre also examines how AI might change the nature of future conflicts, which may feature swarms of drones and supersmart targeting. A weakness of AI systems is that they do not respond well to changes of conditions, but this is gradually being overcome with new-generation machine learning. It is difficult to know whether to feel confident or disturbed by all this information, but Scharre effectively shows where military AI currently stands and where it is going.A solid, well-organized account of the military applications of AI and of the race to take the lead global position.

The distribution of global power will soon dep=end on nations’ AI capabilities, posits Scharre (Army of None), vice president at the Center for a New American Security, in this no-nonsense warning. Focusing on how AI influences competition between the U.S. and China, Scharre contends that data, computing power, talent, and institutions constitute the four factors that will prove critical to how that rivalry will play out. He suggests that prestigious U.S. institutions, namely top universities and tech companies, are helping the country win the fight for talent, and he proposes that increased funding for universities would ensure the U.S. keeps its lead. To underscore the stakes, Scharre describes how China has reportedly augmented its surveillance systems with AI that can supposedly detect “Uighur facial attributes,” supporting the government’s campaign to force the ethnic minority into concentration camps. However, though AI can be used “maliciously or carelessly,” the author insists that the technology can also be used to boost “health care outcomes, economic growth, and other indicators of national well-being.” This is as much about China’s relationship with the U.S. as it is about AI, and reader interest will vary accordingly, though Scharre’s levelheaded takes distinguish this from more alarmist outings. Technophiles and technophobes alike will be challenged and enlightened. (Feb.)