AI Principles: Recommendations on the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence by the Department of Defense

The leadership of the Department of Defense (DoD) tasked the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) with proposing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Principles for DoD for the design, development, and deployment of AI for both combat and non-combat purposes. Building upon the foundation of DoD’s existing ethical, legal, and policy frameworks and responsive to the complexities of the rapidly evolving field of AI, the Board sought to develop principles consistent with the Department’s mission to deter war and ensure the country’s security. This document summarizes the DIB’s project and includes a brief background; an outline of enduring DoD ethics principles that transcend AI; a set of proposed AI Ethics Principles; and a set of recommendations to facilitate the Department’s adoption of these principles and advance the wider aim of promoting AI safety, security, and robustness. The DIB’s complete report includes detailed explanations and addresses the wider historical, policy, and theoretical context for these recommendations. It is available at innovation.defense.gov/ai.