Chinas pioneering technology and internet companies are investing in artificial intelligence to erode the military advantage enjoyed in recent decades by the United States, according to western military officials.

In artificial intelligence, nobody knows exactly where everybody is in this kind of [development] to mention one of them, autonomous systems and so on, France's Gen. Andre Lanata, NATOs supreme allied commander for transformation, told the Washington Examiner in an exclusive interview. We all know that everybody is looking to such development, but we don't know exactly what is the level of investment these countries are providing and until which point they are.

Lanata, who leads NATO efforts to develop and upgrade military capabilities, echoed a U.S. admirals recent warning that U.S. adversaries can reach even the East Coast with a modern arsenal. The French general went a step further in saying just how modern, as his comments raise the specter of American forces surprised to find themselves outgunned by Chinas lethal autonomous weapons, or killer robots, as theyre sometimes known.

It's very difficult to say what is the gap, what will be the gap, as we have not a clear vision on the latest developments especially on the Chinese side, said Lanata, who is based in Norfolk, Va.

The technology is expected to "use sensor suites and computer algorithms to independently identify a target and employ an onboard weapon system to engage and destroy the target," as the Congressional Research Service put it recently.

Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia but for all humankind, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in 2017. It comes with colossal opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to predict. Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.

Essentially, you have two sides that are worried about the other gaining an advantage, Peter Singer, an expert in what he calls the Robotics Revolution, said in September. That then has the ironic result of them both plowing resources into it, competing against each other, and becoming less secure.

The artificial intelligence race is just one area in which China and Russia are developing weapons that could rival U.S. capabilities, as military officials warn that the U.S. Navy should not feel safe even in home ports on the East Coast.

If we were to look at how great power competition will be driven, it will be driven by investments in gray matter as much as gray hulls, Vice Adm. Andrew "Woody" Lewis, who is also based in Norfolk, said last week. The gap that we'll have on a technological basis, weapons systems, will not be that great. It's how we fight.

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'Nobody knows exactly': China might lead the race to produce killer robots, NATO commander says - Washington Examiner