US Space Force Temporarily Bans Generative AI Tools

According to reports, the United States Space Force has temporarily prohibited its personnel from using generative artificial tools while on duty to safeguard government data.

According to a report by Bloomberg on October 12, the Guardian Workforce (Space Force members) were “not authorized” to use web-based generative AI tools to produce text, images, and other media.

In the memorandum, Lisa Costa, Space Force’s deputy chief of space operations for technology and innovation, reportedly said, “Generative AI will undoubtedly revolutionize our workforce and enhance Guardian’s ability to operate at speed.”

Nevertheless, Costa cited concerns over current cybersecurity and data handling standards to clarify that AI and large language model (LLM) adoption must be more “responsible.”

The United States Space Force is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for safeguarding U.S. and allied space interests.

Bloomberg cites Nick Chaillan, former chief software architect for the United States Air Force and Space Force, as saying that the Space Force’s decision has already affected at least 500 users of “Ask Sage,” a generative artificial intelligence platform.

According to reports, Chaillan criticized the Space Force’s choice. “This is going to put us years behind China,” he complained in a September email to Costa and other senior defense officials.

“It’s a very shortsighted decision,” Chaillan added. Chaillan stated that the Central Intelligence Agency and its departments have created generative AI tools that meet data security requirements.

In recent months, some governments have feared that LLMs could divulge confidential information to the general public.

In March, Italy temporarily blocked an artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, citing suspected violations of data privacy laws, before reversing its decision roughly one month later.

Apple, Amazon, and Samsung are among the companies that have prohibited or restricted the use of ChatGPT-like AI tools by employees.