Elon Musk joins Pentagon’s Project Meridian: How AI, robots and autonomous weapons could shape future warfare

The Pentagon has tapped Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to lead Project Meridian, a 120-day study on the future of warfare. The initiative will examine AI, robotics, autonomous weapons, drones and other emerging technologies that could shape future battlefields.

The Pentagon is bringing SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey and former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich into a new initiative to study how warfare could evolve over the coming decades. Project Meridian was announced by the US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on 30 September during a “State of the Force” address in Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. The Department of War published six major initiatives that Hegseth announced during the Quantico speech.

The 120-day project will determine technologies, weapons and military capabilities that may be required on future battlefields for the United States. As AI, robotics, autonomous systems, drones and space technologies work their way into military planning, the Pentagon has a strategy to keep pace. The project will be managed by Pentagon technology chief Emil Michael and co-led by Musk, Luckey and Gingrich.

Musk, Luckey to study the battlefield of the future

Project Meridian aims to move beyond the current military system and consider the potential impact of new technology on the nature of war. The study will include a variety of battlefields, including underground and places outside the moon, Hegseth said.

The project will study developments in AI, directed energy, robotics and biotechnology, among other technologies, according to the Pentagon. It is expected to submit its recommendations within 120 days and in an unclassified report, which will include a classified annex.

Pentagon creates new command for autonomous warfare

Project Meridian is being rolled out at the same time as the USA has announced a new initiative to bring in AI, robots and autonomous weapons into its military operations.

Pragya Singha Roy