AI pilot beats human in landmark real-life dogfight, Chinese military researchers report

‘AI will soon be the king of the sky,’ scientists say after artificial intelligence machine shows superior performance in cutting-edge close-range combat

Next-gen AI pilot under development could learn during a real flight and improve its performance with little or no ground support, Chinese developer says

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China’s AI-controlled aircraft (in the red circle) defeated another aircraft remotely-controlled by a human pilot in close-range air combat. Image: China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre, Mianyang

Published: 10:30pm, 2 Mar 2023Updated: 12:25am, 3 Mar 2023

Chinese military researchers say they have conducted a landmark one-on-one combat between drone aircraft operated by AI and a human in a real-world setting.

The artificial intelligence machine showed superior performance in cutting-edge close-range fighting and kept the human opponent a constant underdog, according to a new paper.

It was published a month after the United States military said an AI pilot had recently conducted numerous test missions, including combat drills, on a real F-16 fighter.

The Chinese dogfight involved two small unmanned fixed-wing aircraft – one with an AI pilot on board and the other controlled remotely by a human pilot on the ground.

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When the fight started, the human made the first move to gain the upper hand.

The AI, apparently predicting his intention, outmanoeuvred the opponent, made a counter move and stuck close behind its opponent.