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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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Stephen Chenin Beijing
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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China unveils new combat drone described as a rival to US Army Grey Eagle
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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.
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