US nearly launches military operation over AI-generated information | The Jerusalem Post

- An intelligence report about a Chinese ship in the Middle East allegedly carrying nuclear-weapon components triggered US military plans to intercept, but CNN later reported the claim was generated by an AI chatbot and entirely false, nearly provoking a war. - The incident highlights rapid AI adoption in the US defense and intelligence sectors, raising concerns about “hallucinations” and the potential for catastrophic miscalculations if data is corrupted or trusted uncritically.

US nearly launches military operation over AI-generated information | The Jerusalem Post ## As the US military ramps up plans to implement artificial intelligence, officials warn that mishaps could lead to “catastrophic miscalculations.” US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US CENTCOM, speaks with crew members of the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security in the Middle East, in this handout photo released May 3, 2026. (photo credit: US Navy/Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amanda Dunford/Handout via REUTERS) By ARIELLA ROITMAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 02:51 Updated: SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 02:53 An intelligence report disclosing that a Chinese ship in the Middle East was transporting components of a nuclear weapons program immediately set off alarm bells across the US military before it was determined that the intelligence was false, a Friday CNN report revealed. The US military immediately made plans to intercept the vessel, CNN said, citing four sources familiar with the matter. Two of the sources said that armed members of the US military were planning to board the ship, and military planes were in the air as well, according to the two other sources. Before the planned operation, however, a special operations command analyst found that the report had been generated with artificial intelligence. A chatbot used by the analyst had inaccurately identified the material in the ship, according to CNN. CNN said the news outlet was unable to learn what the cargo actually was…

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