xAI, a company founded by Elon Musk, has been selected to participate in a secret Pentagon competition valued at $100 million, aimed at developing advanced swarm drone control technology based on artificial intelligence. This competition, set to last six months, will focus on transforming voice commands into digital instructions to enhance drone operations. The development will be carried out in five stages, starting with software creation and culminating in real-world testing of the technology.

Pentagon representatives stated that the drones could be utilized for offensive purposes, emphasizing that the interaction between humans and machines will significantly influence the lethality and effectiveness of these systems. In the initial phase of the competition, efforts will concentrate solely on software development, with subsequent stages incorporating actual platforms for practical application. The software aims to coordinate drone movements across different environments, including aerial and maritime operations, as outlined in the U.S. Department of Defense's task directive.

The later phases of the competition are expected to advance situational awareness related to targets and facilitate information exchange among drones. Ultimately, the competition aims to develop a comprehensive system that handles operations from launch to execution, further pushing the boundaries of military technology and AI's integration in combat scenarios. This initiative is significant not just for potential military implications but also for the ongoing debate regarding the ethical usage of AI in warfare.