A high-ranking US Army officer has revealed an unexpectedly close relationship with artificial intelligence, admitting that he regularly consults ChatGPT when making critical military decisions.
Major General William ‘Hank’ Taylor, one of the top commanders in the US Army, told reporters in Washington DC that he has become “really close” with the popular AI chatbot. Currently stationed in South Korea, Taylor described how he actively uses the technology to enhance his decision-making capabilities.
“I’m asking to build, trying to build models to help all of us,” Taylor explained during a media briefing. “As a commander, I want to make better decisions. I want to make sure that I make decisions at the right time to give me the advantage.”
Taylor has previously suggested that those who believe AI is “going to determine who’s the winner in the next battlefield” are not “all that far off” in their predictions.
He envisions a future where military operations move beyond human capabilities, with decisions on the battlefield being made “at machine speed” and “not at human speed.” This shift could fundamentally change how armed forces operate and respond to threats.
While Taylor’s enthusiasm for AI is evident, his approach hasn’t gone without raising concerns. Other officials within the US Army and government have warned about significant security risks, particularly the potential for AI systems to leak sensitive military data after processing classified information.
The military’s experimentation with AI extends beyond individual commanders using chatbots. Recent reports have highlighted various applications of technology in soldier training and performance enhancement, though some of these initiatives have sparked controversy regarding data security and foreign access to sensitive information.