The US Department of Defense (DoD) is planning to deploy advanced computer algorithms to enhance its warfare capabilities by the end of 2017.

The development is part of the US DoD's Project Maven, which involves applying biologically inspired neural networks to learning tasks.

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After being installed on government platforms, the algorithms will be used to extract objects from massive amounts of moving or still imagery.

Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Function Team chief and Marine Corps Colonel Drew Cukor said: “People and computers will work symbiotically to increase the ability of weapon systems to detect objects.

“Eventually we hope that one analyst will be able to do twice as much work, potentially three times as much, as they're doing now. That's our goal.”

According to former US Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work, the DoD must integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning more effectively across operations in order to maintain advantages over increasingly capable adversaries and competitors.

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"People and computers will work symbiotically to increase the ability of weapon systems to detect objects."

The department is currently in the process of procuring computational power, including graphic processing units that enable the use of machine-learning algorithms.

In addition, an algorithmic development contract will be awarded through a competitive selection process.

Before deploying algorithms to combat zones, DoD must prepare data and have the computational infrastructure for training, according to Cukor.

The DoD also requires algorithm developers, software engineers, and an interface to connect AI and human operators.

Image: Exploitation Analyst airmen assigned to the 41st Intelligence Squadron have begun advanced mobile desktop training. Photo: George G. Meade, Md. Air Force Illustration by Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes.