Elon Musk spoke about the role of drones and artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of warfare at West Point last summer, Bloomberg reports (unpaywalled copy). His talk at West Point was part of an academic theme exploring leadership in a tech-driven battlefield.

“We will spend the year exploring the dynamic interplay between human leaders and advanced technology across all domains of warfare,” West Point’s Dean posted to X, “preparing cadets for future combat scenarios where machines and human leadership intersect.”

West Point has now released audio and video recordings of Musk’s talk.

“Musk explores the intersection of advanced technology and modern warfare, focusing on the role of AI and drones in transforming the battlefield,” reads West Point’s summary. “He shares his insights on innovation, the existential risks of AI, and the future of autonomous systems in military operations. Musk’s unique perspective offers invaluable lessons for military and industry leaders, and anyone interested in the future of warfare technology.”

Drones will dominate wars

Musk said that the ongoing war in Ukraine shows how important drones are in modern battles. He believes if there’s a big war between major powers, drones will dominate it. He stressed that the U.S. must increase drone production because current conflicts already demonstrate their value.

Musk spoke with Brigadier General Shane Reeves about how countries often prepare for past wars, not future ones.

During this chat, Musk discussed the significance of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, which has become crucial for Ukrainian military communications. Starlink satellites provide internet that can’t be jammed or blocked, unlike other communication methods which fail when fiber connections or cell towers are destroyed.

Musk also introduced his approach to problem-solving called the “first-principles algorithm.” This method involves simplifying requirements, removing unnecessary elements, optimizing what’s left, and speeding up the process. He pointed out that military procurement often starts with too many requirements, which he believes leads to inefficiencies.

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