Pentagon Drafts Artificial Intelligence to Fight Wildfires

The article that I chose to discuss is about how the Pentagon is in the process of using artificial intelligence to track and contain wildfires. This action is taken in response to the massive outbreak of wildfires in the west coast of the United States. The Pentagon has unveiled two plans that they plan to utilize to effectively combat these wildfires. The first plan uses artificial intelligence to track wildfires and calculate the wildfire's path in order to be able to react quickly and contain it. The second plan uses sensors in helicopters in order to predict when vehicles need maintenance. This could make it easier for wildfire operations, as vehicles would be less prone to breaking down and they would be much safer and more efficient to respond to the spreading flames.
This year, California suffered the worst wildfire in the state's history. Wildfires have become a consistent problem for the state, suffering from over 8,000 fires in 2018 alone. The government is now taking action in order to contain these natural disasters. The use of artificial intelligence to track and predict wildfires is a good move because it allows the government to test new technologies and potentially save lives in the process. According to Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, tech companies are getting eager to work for humanitarian aid and disaster relief foundations. This is a big deal because these technology companies can develop vital technologies that can aid the efforts to contain and prevent these wildfires.
The fact that the government is using artificial intelligence in such a capacity has heavy implications for the future of the technology. If artificial intelligence can predict and track wildfires, how could it be applied to modern warfare? There are concerns about the potential that artificial intelligence has. There are people that think that there could be a "Terminator" type future if artificial intelligence continues to grow and develop at the rate that it is going. The potential for AI is limitless, for better or for worse. It could be a valuable asset that the government can use for both military and practical purposes, but it can also be used against the US by terrorists or foreign threats.
But AI is a positive force for the current situation that the Pentagon is trying to address. The ability to prevent wildfires from spreading and causing widespread damage allows for both the people and the government to feel more secure. If the government can successfully ally themselves with the technology companies to develop AI that can be used for good, then the future of AI may be a little bit brighter. This would alleviate the doubts that some people have about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, the fact that a top priority for AI is to use it for humanitarian aid efforts is a good sign that highlights how artificial intelligence can have a positive impact in society. If the government uses AI correctly, the future may be bright.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-drafts-artificial-intelligence-to-fight-wildfires-11549997774