Re: [FT] Unpredictable AI

--- Derk Groeneveld <derk@cistron.nl> wrote:
...
> I'd suggest the vast majority of fighter missions
> are NOT predetermined in
> the way cruise missile launches are (Go to point A,
> and destroy TARGET B).
> There is almost always a decision making process
> (Determine whether B _is_
> hostile, shoot down B _if_ hostile. Unless a bigger
> threat _C_ is present,
> also _hostile_, then take out _C_ BEFORE you take
> out _B_, etc)
> 
> When a cruise missile is launched and it destroys a
> milk powder factory,
> it is a fault of the decision makers/intel people,
> and actions can be
> taken to prevent this. If a drone decides a nice fat
> Airbus is hostile,
> it's a different matter entirely. I'd rather trust
> fallible humans than a
> piece of software with those decisions.
> 
Yes I understand the distinction, but it is one of
degree, not kind, at least in my opinion.

Yes, it's harder to program the drone to not shoot
down the airbus, but still there is a judgement
and/or discretion with a manned unit not present in
a robot (at present).

A manned fighter would (probably) not shoot down
the airbus, even if it registered on his radar as
a hostile. A manned bomber would probably not bomb
a target which is obviously an error (big white
building with a red cross). 

Fighter missions would probably be somewhat more
nebulous (wild weasel, aircraft escort, close
air support, air superiority, and so on) than
a bomber's mission would be, but even bomber crews
have some judgement to exercise. That judgement
is missing in a cruise missile, but we're willing
to sacrifice that for the safety of our pilots in
SOME kinds of missions.

Perhaps drone fighters would only be assigned 
missions in areas where no airbusses were expected
(say the middle of Iraq during the gulf war where
there should be no civilian targets). Maybe you
give them simple roles like circle at this location
looking for the following silhouettes only. If you
see them (maybe they are the silhouettes for cruise
missiles the enemy uses), shoot intercepts.

I like a man in the loop too, but speaking as the
son of an Air Force navigator on B52's, I'm not sure
I want my dad over the target unless he has to be
there to exercise that judgement.

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