EdgeRunner AI Develops Offline Military AI Amid Concerns Over Big Tech Models
Tyler Saltsman develops military-focused offline AI to counter biases in big tech models.
Key Points
- • Tyler Saltsman, CEO of EdgeRunner AI, develops offline AI specifically for military use.
- • Four major tech firms received $200 million Pentagon contracts for military AI.
- • Saltsman criticizes existing AI models from tech giants as biased and unsuitable.
- • EdgeRunner AI's offline model assists military in operational tasks like writing orders.
Tyler Saltsman, a former Army officer and now CEO of EdgeRunner AI, is spearheading the development of an offline artificial intelligence system designed for military use. This initiative comes at a time when the Pentagon has awarded $200 million contracts to major tech firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and xAI to develop AI systems for military applications. Saltsman expressed skepticism regarding these proprietary models, arguing that they embody biases that may render them unsuitable for military contexts.
EdgeRunner AI's innovations target military personnel's needs by creating AI frameworks trained specifically on military doctrine, history, and tactics. This training enhances security by allowing the AI to function offline, thereby reducing the risks associated with internet connectivity—a critical consideration for safeguarding sensitive military data. Saltsman aims for their AI to mirror American values and culture, asserting that existing AI technologies from larger companies fail to meet these standards.
The company's system, inspired by the fictional J.A.R.V.I.S. from Iron Man, is currently being deployed with U.S. Special Operations Command. This technology not only assists in generating operational orders but also streamlines the creation of training manuals, significantly decreasing the time military personnel allocate to these tasks. Saltsman's perspective underscores a growing concern within military circles regarding the reliance on broad, generalized AI models from major tech firms for mission-specific operations.