As discussion about the threats AI development poses takes center stage, some experts are arguing that one of the greatest risks comes from the Pentagon’s outdated digital systems. A new Washington Post article citing CERL Affiliated Faculty Member Michael Horowitz notes that the Pentagon has long put off modernizing its digital infrastructure for the sake of investing in top-of-the-line weapons systems, in ways that could now make it vulnerable. As advanced AI becomes widely available, even actors without advanced cyber capabilities may be able to find and exploit security vulnerabilities in the Defense Department’s digital systems, with serious consequences for U.S. national security.

Michael C. Horowitz is Director of Perry World House and Richard Perry Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of CERL’s Affiliated Faculty. Read his bio here.

The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of any organization or university.