Application Keynote Lecture

Prof. Steven Meers (DSTL)

Harnessing the power of AI & Autonomous Systems for Defence & Security

Abstract

Accelerating the safe and responsible adoption of AI is a priority within the UK’s Defence AI Strategy. This talk will describe the current work by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the Defence AI Centre to apply AI to a range of use-cases and to establish appropriate systems, processes and best practice designed to enable AI-solutions to be deployed at scale and pace across the Ministry of Defence.

The development of AI has significant implications for Defence and Security, including the changing nature of the threat faced and new risks that must be mitigated. It also presents significant opportunities for the modernisation of defence capability, from battlefield solutions designed to enhance military capability, to back-office applications that improve productivity and efficiency. Examples of current work will illustrate how AI can enable fundamentally different approaches to key military tasks such as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and countering AI-generated misinformation.

Finally, the talk will focus on MOD’s commitment to safe and responsible adoption and will summarise current activity designed to ensure robust approaches to topics such as AI ethics and Test, Evaluation, Verification and Validation of AI systems. This talk will provide an opportunity to hear practical experience from the forefront of AI adoption in the vitally important and challenging environment of Defence and Security.

PROFESSOR STEVEN MEERS

Fellow, Cyber and Information Systems Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Head of Research & Experimentation Defence AI Centre

Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor of Applied AI for Defence and Security, University of Southampton

Professor Meers is a Fellow at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) specialising in application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to Defence and Security challenges. He is the Technical Strategy Leader for Dstl’s AI & Data Science Capability and is the Head of Research & Experimentation for the UK Defence AI Centre. He provides advice at the highest levels within the Ministry of Defence regarding the opportunities and threats presented by artificial intelligence and machine learning and how the UK can responsibly & safely adopt these technologies to strengthen Defence and National Security.

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