(Natural News)—According to retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, robots and other advanced machinery could make up a third of the U.S. military by the year 2039.
The former chairman of the Department of Defense‘s Joint Chiefs of Staff made this prediction during the launch of Axios‘ Future of Defense News letter. During his speech at the July 11 event, he highlighted the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned technology to lead to the creation of robotic military forces.
“Ten to 15 years from now, my guess is a third – maybe 25 percent to a third – of the U.S. military will be robotic,” Milley said, adding that these robots could be commanded and controlled by AI systems. According to the retired general, advancements in technology and changes in the nature of war will enable militaries worldwide to make smarter and faster decisions.
He distinguished between the fundamental aspects of war, which involve human actions and political motives and the character of war, which encompasses tactics, technologies, weapons systems and leadership training. While the nature of war remains consistent, Milley pointed out that the character of war is undergoing a significant transformation due to the rise of AI and robotics. He compared this shift to the historical transition from muskets to rifles during the Civil War, a change that had a lasting impact on military tactics.
The retired general asserted that the nation that most quickly integrates these technologies into its military will gain a substantial advantage over its rivals. To retain its position as the world’s most formidable military force, he stressed that the U.S. must rapidly adapt and potentially revolutionize its operations.
According to Milley, current U.S. policy mandates human oversight in the use of military robots, particularly regarding lethal force due to humans’ capacity of ethical decision-making – a trait that technology lacks. He nevertheless did not dismiss the possibility of a future where AI-enabled machines could make autonomous decision, posing the question of whether this is a desirable direction for the world.
Other militaries also seeing the potential of robo-soldiers
During the event, Milley noted that the number of human troops in militaries “will probably be reduced as [nations] move toward robotic systems.” He continued: “It’ll be a fundamental change, and I would argue that other nations’ militaries are going to be similarly designed.” (Related: So they’re experimenting with military robots in Gaza now.)
“The country that optimizes those technologies for military use is going to have a very significant – and potentially decisive – advantage in an armed conflict.”
Axios reported that militaries have, for years, tinkered with robot units to bolster their fighting capacity. Such technologies include armed drones, robo-dogs, mechanical mules and more. Even the U.S. military’s various branches are looking into the prospect of using these robotic technologies, with Axios sharing several examples.
“The Army is experimenting with what’s known as human-machine integrated formations, where soldiers fight alongside automatons. The Air Force is seeking so-called ‘collaborative combat’ aircraft that can fly alongside human pilots to collect intelligence, confuse enemy electronics and even blow up targets.”
“The Navy is in pursuit of a hybrid fleet, with unmanned surface and underwater vehicles augmenting the firepower of sailors and Marines. One pioneer is Task Force 59 in the Middle East.”
But Thailand-based journalist Ben Bartee sarcastically noted the “advantages” of robot soldiers over human troops.
“Of course, robot soldiers don’t ask questions. They don’t have moral qualms. They don’t require lifelong healthcare from the [Department of Veterans Affairs] for [post-traumatic stress disorder], hazard pay or compensation when their robot limbs get blown off.”
“They don’t have the capacity to say no to unconstitutional orders. Indeed, they have no inherent allegiance to the Constitution whatsoever, only to the interest they would be programmed to serve by whoever programmed them.”
Visit Robots.news for similar stories. Watch retired Gen. Mark Milley discussing the future of warfare and AI in the military in this clip from “60 Minutes.”
This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
- Tesla plans to launch humanoid robots next year, says Elon Musk.
- In two years, China plans to unleash mass-produced humanoid robots to replace human workers.
- Do no evil? Google to unveil military robots after acquiring Boston Dynamics.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.