The new S
ecretary of Defense, Robert Gates, at his swearing in ceremony Monday, told the assembled military members, “I value your professionalism and your experience, and I will rely on your clear-eyed advice in the weeks and months ahead.” Just a few lines later in his remarks, Gates emphasized again that it is his intention to involve the professionals “in the decision-making process early and often” because they are the ones “who ultimately must carry out the decisions.” At the ceremony, President Bush remarked that Gates has a “track record of steering large organizations through change and transformation.” And, Bush said he expects Gates—with his “fresh perspective”—to help “forge a new way forward in Iraq.”
Lawmakers want to expand oversight of artificial-intelligence enabled automated systems to include those the Pentagon uses in planning operations, developing targets or that might recommend what to strike.