In a recent chat with Bloomberg News, Palmer Luckey made a bold prediction about the role of artificial intelligence in future warfare. He asserted that AI systems will undoubtedly claim innocent lives in conflicts to come. That’s why, according to Luckey, it’s imperative to maintain human oversight when the U.S. military employs AI technologies.
“There will be incidents where AI kills people who shouldn’t have been harmed. That’s unavoidable if AI becomes integral to warfare,” Luckey explained. “It’s essential that humans remain responsible for these actions because only through accountability can we pursue better solutions and minimize accidental deaths and civilian harm.”
Despite acknowledging the risks AI poses, Luckey argues that AI could potentially address issues that are, in many ways, more perilous to innocents than current technologies. “I don’t want AI to operate in such a manner, but existing tools are often significantly worse,” he added.
Understanding war’s future tech considerations is something Luckey, who is estimated to be worth $2.3 billion by Forbes, is well-acquainted with. Originally from Long Beach, he’s renowned for founding Oculus, a virtual reality headset company. Although he was ousted after Meta acquired Oculus, Luckey now leads Anduril, a company with lucrative contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. His exit from Meta, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, was linked to a 2016 political donation supporting a PAC related to former President Donald Trump.
Emily Chang’s interview with Luckey, available on Bloomberg’s platform, delves into numerous topics, including China’s geopolitical challenges and Luckey’s departure from Meta. Interestingly, Luckey seems hesitant to mention Trump’s name directly.
“I’m not as politically driven as people think,” Luckey shared with Chang. “I was expelled from Silicon Valley over a $9,000 political contribution. The attention it garnered was largely because it was unusual for a tech professional to support the individual who won the presidency that year.”
As Chang aptly notes, that individual was Trump—a figure still viewed as a potential threat to U.S. security, even as polls from the New York Times suggest he’s ahead of President Joe Biden.
For anyone interested in how tech defense contractors are gearing up for the future, watching the entire 30-minute video on YouTube is highly recommended. It’s crucial since no matter who takes office in the upcoming elections, Luckey’s influence in advancing technology systems for future warfare appears set to continue for the foreseeable future. Listening to what industry insiders like him have to say offers insights into where the substantial $850 billion taxpayer investment into defense is directed each year.
