Vice President JD Vance delivered a commencement speech to graduating cadets at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado on May 28, emphasising the importance of maintaining ethical standards in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and warfare. In a light-hearted moment, Vance cautioned the audience against booing him, asserting, “I’m the vice president of the United States,” a remark that drew laughter from the gathered crowd.
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This year’s graduation ceremonies have witnessed growing discontent among audiences towards speakers discussing the implications of AI. Numerous instances across the nation have seen speakers, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and real estate executive Gloria Caulfield, met with boos when addressing the subject. Given this atmosphere, Vance made a pre-emptive move to avoid similar backlash, seeking to present his vision for the military’s future.
During his speech, Vance acknowledged the rising concerns surrounding AI’s impact on various sectors, including its potential effects on the job market and resource consumption. However, he underscored his primary concern: the ramifications of AI on warfare. The Vice President, a Marine veteran, directed his attention to the graduating cadets, who were about to embark on their careers as officers in the Air Force and Space Force.
In addressing the graduates, Vance voiced his endorsement of a recent encyclical from Pope Leo XIV, which warned against allowing technological systems to dictate significant moral choices. This aligns with Vance’s belief that ethical considerations must remain paramount, especially for those serving in the military. “One of the things that makes Americans unique, that makes you as war fighters unique, is that we wage war justly,” Vance asserted.
The Vice President further elaborated on the moral fabric that should guide military actions, reiterating that traditional values must coexist with a nation’s military strength. He affirmed that the responsibility of ensuring ethical conduct during warfare rests on the shoulders of the service members: “You are the ones who ensure that our lethality in war… coexists with our heart and with our conscience.”
Vance’s remarks come against the backdrop of notable military actions, including current conflicts that have resulted in significant loss of life. In the lead-up to his address, concerns about American military operations, particularly in Iran, have intensified due to incidents that have raised ethical questions, including strikes that resulted in civilian casualties.
Amidst the joyous occasion of graduation, Vance interwove weighty discussions around AI and military ethics with elements of humour and engagement, aiming to inspire the next generation of military leaders. Following the speech, graduates celebrated their significant milestone, throwing their hats into the air in joyful exuberance, marking the beginning of their military journey.
In a time when technological advancements, particularly in AI, are rapidly transforming various fields, Vance’s call for an ethical approach was a poignant reminder to those entering military service. He challenged them to think critically about the integration of technology in warfare and upheld the belief that humanity should not relinquish moral decision-making to digital systems.
As the graduates prepare to navigate a world increasingly influenced by AI, they will carry with them not only their military training but also the ethical considerations highlighted in Vance’s address. The Vice President’s insistence on the uniqueness of American values in warfare serves as a charge to these new officers, reinforcing the necessity of conscience in their future roles.
As they step forward into the challenges that lie ahead, the importance of marrying technological prowess with ethical reasoning will likely define their service and the future of military engagements. This graduation, marked by Vance’s remarks, stands as more than a ceremony; it represents a formative moment for the future leaders of the Air Force and Space Force.