Meet Alexa’s Military Version 

Meet Alexa’s Military Version 

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Digital assistants have become ubiquitous in civilian life with homeowners using systems such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home to access information by “conversing” with the software via the digital cloud. Similar chatbot systems using text have long been available on shopping or information websites. Now the technology is on its way to the military field.

Soldiers in Britain could soon be offered a “military Alexa” digital assistant which would provide troops in the field with automated information from combat tactics to repair instructions.

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £700,000 contract to a British company to explore the feasibility of an artificial intelligence “chatbot” which will allow soldiers on deployment to obtain crucial information via computer link. 

The specification for the system requires that it be accessible via military “tactical radios” and handheld devices, suggesting that it could even be used by troops on the frontline engaged in combat to access intelligence and vital information. 

Although initially text based, the chatbot could also be further developed to give instructions by voice. 

The advent of a military chatbot would take the use of interactive AI to a new environment. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the MoD agency which explores new military technology, said it was interested in an automated system to allow personnel to access secure databanks.

The project is designed to “show how access to information and intelligence may be improved for military users who are operating via tactical  radios… through the use of a digital assistant, ” according to a briefing document. “The chatbot is to be located on the opposite end of the radio link to the military user at a location with good connectivity to military information/intelligence resources and services.

According to inews.co.uk, the digital assistant could apply to scenarios such as supplying information on how to repair a broken vehicle to intelligence on the terrain surrounding troops on an operation and how best to reach their objective. The information would be advisory and would not supplant human commanders or their orders.

The algorithm would also be expected to learn from the questions asked of it, allowing it to tailor its advice for increasingly detailed or complex situations.

Envitia, the software company that has won the contract, said the system will enable soldiers to have “conversations” with the chatbot, which would in turn filter data to ensure only relevant information is presented.

The khaki chatbot would operate over the Ministry of Defence’s own secure satellite network rather than the conventional internet.

Digital assistants are already in use in other militaries around the world. In America, would-be squaddies are guided through the initial stages of the recruitment process by Sergeant Star – an AI chatbot which has replaced the work of 55 personnel by dispensing online advice.