Although technology makes life easier, it is also known to hinder humankind in many ways. The most recent constraint brought by technology comes from the use of artificial intelligence. Due to the advancement of AI, many users have become increasingly dependent on their devices. One recent example is Maj. Gen. William “Hank” Taylor, who recently admitted to using ChatGPT for both personal and military command decisions. Despite AI’s uses, this confession is troublesome for various reasons. Taylor’s chatbot-generated decisions guide thousands of troops’ lives, and his conversations are extremely susceptible to hacking.
Taylor admitted to befriending the AI, which calls for further concern. “Chat and I are really close lately,” he said about ChatGPT during a roundtable media event. This shows that ordinary people are not the only ones being influenced by AI — major figures in power are just as susceptible. Overuse of AI strips individuals of their autonomy and creativity by providing quick — and sometimes inaccurate — answers. Because Taylor is using AI to influence decisions in his career and personal life, Taylor has relinquished his independence to the chatbot.
Although 52% of U.S. adults use AI models like ChatGPT, military leaders should not be allowed to make important decisions with its help. Doing so could result in large amounts of information being breached. Chatbots are not immune to cyber criminals. Any of the chats shared by Taylor holds the potential to be discovered, exposing his team’s information. This has the potential to endanger the thousands of soldiers under his control and pose national security risks.
Taylor’s use of ChatGPT has been received so poorly that the U.S. Army has released a statement assuring the public that they are not replacing human decision-making with AI. Although the military has invested in AI to progress strategic planning, it does not seem orderly to receive computer-generated advice.
AI tools should not be used to dictate any command decisions, especially by military leaders. By asking ChatGPT for advice, Taylor is putting thousands of soldiers’ and citizens’ lives in the hands of an unreliable chatbot.
