Chinese Army Creates ChatBIT, a Military AI

Last Updated on November 2, 2024 by SPN Editor

Leading Chinese research institutions affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have reportedly utilized Meta’s open-source AI technology to create sophisticated military AI tools. According to three scientific articles and analytics reviewed by Reuters, this new tool, named ChatBIT, is designed to efficiently gather and process military intelligence, providing critical information to support operational decision-making.

Researchers from the Academy of Military Sciences (AMS), a group within the PLA, employed Meta’s Llama 13B model, which was released in February 2023, to create ChatBIT. This military AI model was further enhanced with additional parameters to optimize its dialogue and question-answering capabilities for military use. According to reports, ChatBIT demonstrated superior performance, surpassing 90% of comparable AI models, including those as powerful as GPT-4.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has explicitly stated that using its AI models for military purposes contravenes its acceptable use policy. Meta prohibits the use of its models for “military activities, warfare, nuclear industry or applications, espionage,” and other activities subject to US export controls, as well as for the development of weapons and content intended to “incite and promote violence.” Enforcing these restrictions on publicly available models, however, remains a significant challenge.

In a statement to Reuters, Meta representatives emphasized that any use of their models by the PLA is unauthorized and contrary to their policy. They also pointed out the broader context of China’s substantial investment in AI, aiming to surpass the US in this field.

The research papers reveal that six Chinese researchers, including two from the AMS, played a pivotal role in developing ChatBIT. They leveraged an early version of the Llama 13B model, incorporating their own enhancements to tailor the AI for military applications. The primary goal was to develop a tool capable of collecting and processing intelligence efficiently, providing accurate and actionable information for military operations.

While ChatBIT is currently focused on intelligence gathering and processing, the revised documents suggest that its future applications could extend to strategic planning, simulation training, and command decision-making. These advancements indicate a significant shift towards the integration of AI in military strategies, raising important ethical and regulatory questions. The Chinese Ministry of Defense and associated research institutions have not yet commented publicly on these developments.

This advancement underscores the intensifying technological rivalry between the United States and China, as both nations strive to push the boundaries of AI capabilities. Despite U.S. restrictions on China’s access to advanced AI technologies, Chinese scientists continue to innovate, utilizing available resources to develop sophisticated AI tools. The creation of ChatBIT signifies China’s progress in harnessing open-source AI for military purposes, potentially transforming the landscape of military technology.

The use of Meta’s technology by Chinese military scientists to create a sophisticated AI tool highlights the rapid evolution of AI applications in defense. As nations continue to explore and invest in AI, the integration of these technologies into military strategies is likely to expand, necessitating careful consideration of the ethical and regulatory implications. ChatBIT represents a significant leap forward in military AI, paving the way for new advancements and challenges in the field.