Defense Priorities in the Open-Source AI Debate: A Preliminary Assessment

TL;DR

This paper examines the implications of open-source AI models on defense, highlighting potential benefits for the U.S. Department of Defense in areas like cybersecurity and innovation, while calling for further impact analysis.

Contribution

It provides a preliminary assessment of how open foundation models could influence defense priorities and suggests areas for future detailed impact studies.

Findings

Open models may enhance defense innovation and cybersecurity.

Restrictions on open models could impact defense supply chains.

Further analysis needed on costs and security implications.

Abstract

A spirited debate is taking place over the regulation of open foundation models: artificial intelligence models whose underlying architectures and parameters are made public and can be inspected, modified, and run by end users. Proposed limits on releasing open foundation models may have significant defense industrial impacts. If model training is a form of defense production, these impacts deserve further scrutiny. Preliminary evidence suggests that an open foundation model ecosystem could benefit the U.S. Department of Defense's supplier diversity, sustainment, cybersecurity, and innovation priorities. Follow-on analyses should quantify impacts on acquisition cost and supply chain security.