Skip to section navigation
Skip to page content

RAND > Topics >

Artificial Intelligence

Featured

Technology, machines, and software that have the ability to be self-directed and learn from their actions are generally known as artificial intelligence. In the early days of computing, RAND researchers examined and tried to develop such technology and apply it for use in political and military simulations.

Article

How Artificial Intelligence Could Increase the Risk of Nuclear War

Apr 24, 2018

Advances in AI have provoked a new kind of arms race among nuclear powers. This technology could challenge the basic rules of nuclear deterrence and lead to catastrophic miscalculations.
Report

A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence

Dec 1, 1986

A brief history of RAND's research in artificial intelligence (AI) and expert systems from the development of one of the first stored-program digital computers, the JOHNNIAC, to the current work on AI technology and its uses, including work on expert systems, knowledge-based simulation, and human-oriented environments.

Explore Artificial Intelligence

Commentary

Does the U.S. Face an AI Ethics Gap?

The view that the United States is in an AI arms race suggests an AI ethics gap in which the United States faces a higher ethical hurdle to develop and deploy AI in military contexts than its adversaries. As a result of this gap, the United States could be at a competitive disadvantage against countries with fewer scruples about AI.

Jan 11, 2019
Commentary

Intentional Bias Is Another Way Artificial Intelligence Could Hurt Us

Conversations about unconscious bias in artificial intelligence often focus on algorithms unintentionally causing disproportionate harm to entire swaths of society. But the problem could run much deeper. Society should be on guard for the possibility that nefarious actors could deliberately introduce bias into AI systems.

Oct 22, 2018
Commentary

Keeping Artificial Intelligence Accountable to Humans

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are often only as intelligent and fair as the data used to train them. To enable AI that frees humans from bias instead of reinforcing it, experts and regulators must think more deeply not only about what AI can do, but what it should do—and then teach it how.

Aug 20, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Intelligence in a Data-Driven Age

The Intelligence Community is nearing critical decisions on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Jul 13, 2018
Commentary

New Technologies Could Help Small Groups Wreak Large-Scale Havoc

Lone wolves or small groups could use emerging technologies, such as drones or AI, for nefarious purposes. The threat is even greater when these technologies are used along with disinformation spread over social media.

Jun 18, 2018
Commentary

Will Artificial Intelligence Undermine Nuclear Stability?

In the coming years, AI-enabled progress in tracking and targeting adversaries' nuclear weapons could undermine the foundations of nuclear stability. The chance that AI will someday be able to guide strategy decisions about escalation or even launching nuclear weapons is real.

May 1, 2018
Q&A

The Human Side of Artificial Intelligence: Q&A with Osonde Osoba

Osonde Osoba has been exploring AI since age 15. He says it's less about the intelligence and more about being able to capture how humans think. He is developing AI to improve planning and is also studying fairness in algorithmic decisionmaking in insurance pricing and criminal justice.

May 1, 2018
Periodical

Periodical

RAND Review: May-June 2018

This issue features research on preventing child abuse and neglect and improving outcomes for children in the U.S. child-welfare system; a look back on RAND's 70 years of innovation; and an exploration of the human side of artificial intelligence.

Apr 30, 2018
Report

Discontinuities and Distractions: Rethinking Security for the Year 2040

As part of its Security 2040 initiative, RAND convened a workshop of experts to discuss trends that could shape the world through the year 2040.

Apr 27, 2018
Report

How Might Artificial Intelligence Affect the Risk of Nuclear War?

Experts agree that AI has significant potential to upset the foundations of nuclear security. But there are also ways that machines could help ease distrust among international powers and decrease the risk of nuclear war.

Apr 24, 2018
Multimedia

Security 2040: The Promise and Perils of AI, 3D Printing, and Speed

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and 3D printing, will pose new risks to global security. In this Events @ RAND podcast, multidisciplinary teams of experts discuss some of the most crucial trends and how to harness their potential.

Apr 24, 2018
Project

Exploring the Future of Global Security

The Security 2040 initiative explores technologies and trends that are shaping the global security landscape. By focusing on lesser-known security risks, Security 2040 aims to help decisionmakers anticipate and respond to threats on the horizon.

Apr 24, 2018
News Release

News Release

By 2040, Artificial Intelligence Could Upend Nuclear Stability

Artificial intelligence has the potential to upend the foundations of nuclear deterrence by the year 2040. While AI-controlled doomsday machines are considered unlikely, the hazards of artificial intelligence for nuclear security lie instead in its potential to encourage humans to take potentially apocalyptic risks

Apr 24, 2018
Blog

'Alexa, What Do You Know About Me, and Who Are You Telling?'

RAND experts held a wide-ranging discussion about artificial intelligence and privacy. They raised questions about fairness and equity regarding privacy and data use, while also highlighting positive trends and developments across the evolving AI-privacy landscape.

Mar 1, 2018
Multimedia

The Collision of AI and Privacy

In this Events @ RAND podcast, RAND experts discuss risks to privacy in the age of artificial intelligence.

Feb 20, 2018
Commentary

Smart Toys May Pose Risks

Parents shouldn't avoid buying smart toys during the holidays, particularly if these devices top children's Christmas lists. But parents should definitely be wary of the security and privacy risks that smart toys can pose.

Dec 21, 2017
Report

The Risks of AI to Security and the Future of Work

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent in the domains of security and employment, what are the policy implications? What effects might AI have on cybersecurity, criminal and civil justice, and labor market patterns?

Dec 6, 2017
Commentary

AI's Promise and Risks

Artificial intelligence seems to be advancing faster than efforts to understand its potential consequences, good and bad. And discussions about AI often veer toward extremes. More balanced, rigorous analysis is needed to help shape policies that mitigate AI's risks and maximize its benefits.

Oct 24, 2017
Commentary

The Intersection of Algorithms and an Individual's Rights

Data collection, and our reliance on it, have evolved extremely rapidly. The resulting algorithms have proved invaluable for organizing, evaluating and utilizing information. How do individuals' rights come in to play, when data about their lives is compiled to create algorithms, and the resulting tools are applied to judge them?

Sep 29, 2017

1
2
3
4
Next

RAND Topic:
Artificial Intelligence

Topic Synonyms:
AI

Research conducted by