The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced its plans to fund millions of dollars on a series of new artificial intelligence (AI).
With the program called Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIE), DARPA aims to surface new AI concepts at a faster pace than any previous efforts made by others.
What AIE does, is making the foundation designed to get capital for AI researchers that need funds quickly, promising them "streamlined" processes that will lead to projects starting three months after a funding opportunity shows up, with feasibility becoming clear at 18 months after a team wins its contract.
"AIE involves a series of regular and relatively short-term technology development projects," according to DARPA Deputy Director Peter Highnam.
"The intent is to get researchers on contract quickly to test the value and feasibility of innovative concepts. Where we're successful, individual projects could lead to larger research and development programs spurring major AI breakthroughs."
With AIE, the agency wants to ensure that the U.S. remains competitive and has the advantage when it comes to AI.
AI has proven to be useful in aiding humans in many tasks. However, in general, AI is still dumb.
For example, while it's capable of generating useful results, it can't explain the reasons why it produced those results in meaningful terms. AI can't adapt its solutions to evolving situations, making AIs only capable of doing a single thing.
AIE here, wants to explore new AI concepts, including "third wave" AI with contextual adaptation and the ability to explain its decisions in ways that make sense.
Read: Paving The Roads To Artificial Intelligence: It's Either Us, Or Them
DARPA has long known to have interests in AI. Previously, the agency has helped in the funding of Boston Dynamics' BigDog robot.
It has also invested in AI in fields that deem controversial, like supporting emerging technologies for the military.
Advancements in AI has made autonomous tanks, drones, missiles, and machine guns closer to reality.
Previously, thousands of people working on the AI field, including Elon Musk, DeepMind founders and many others, have signed a pledge to discourage military firms and countries from producing AI-enhanced killing machines.
