Why the Military Won’t Trust AI Until It Logs Thousands of Hours

Trust—not technology—may be the biggest barrier to deploying advanced AI on the battlefield. In this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab Science and Technology Director Colonel Kenneth Jones explains how the military is evolving unmanned systems from simple drones into complex networks of sensors, shooters, and autonomous platforms. Jones outlines how Marines aim to control multiple systems from a single interface while reducing cognitive load through AI-driven orchestration. But true adoption depends on experience. Just like early aviation, Jones says thousands of operational hours are needed before operators fully trust autonomous systems to identify targets, deliver logistics, and support combat missions.

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