In a recent conversation with Bloomberg News, tech visionary Palmer Luckey shared some unsettling thoughts about the future role of artificial intelligence in warfare. Luckey believes it’s inevitable that AI systems will inadvertently harm innocent people during future conflicts. This, he argues, underscores the importance of keeping human oversight firmly embedded in AI operations within the U.S. military.
Luckey didn’t mince words, stating, “There will be people who are killed by AI who should not have been killed. That is a certainty if artificial intelligence becomes a core part of the way that we fight wars.” For Luckey, human accountability is critical, as it drives the pursuit of safer solutions and reduces accidental casualties.
Despite acknowledging the risks, Luckey points out that AI has the potential to address current issues that might pose greater risks to civilians than some existing technologies. “I don’t want AI to do these things, but a lot of times the existing technologies are much worse,” he added.
As someone with a net worth of around $2.3 billion, Luckey understands the technological trajectory of warfare. He initially made waves with Oculus, the virtual reality company, but was ousted following its acquisition by Meta, partly due to his political contributions in 2016. Now, he heads Anduril, a company with extensive defense contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense.
In his interview with Emily Chang, Luckey explores various topics like the challenges posed by China and his departure from Meta. He hesitantly acknowledges his political actions, saying, “I got kicked out of Silicon Valley because I made a $9,000 political donation,” referring to his support for a presidential candidate. Luckey explains that his political engagement drew attention because it’s unusual for someone in tech to support that particular candidate, none other than Donald Trump, who, according to some polling, remains a figure of divisive influence.
For those interested in delving deeper, the full 30-minute interview is available on YouTube. It’s an enlightening look into how tech defense contractors envision the future, especially considering the hefty $850 billion annual taxpayer contribution to military funding. Regardless of political outcomes, Luckey’s company seems poised to keep innovating in defense technology for many years, challenging us to consider how technology shapes the battlefield and our world.
