Spirit of the conference and procedure
Claude ROCHE
AAE, former head of AI at DGA and former Director of Helios programme
Short bio
Claude Roche graduated from Ecole Polytechnique in 1963 and Ecole des Télécommunications in 1968). He obtained his Doctorate in AI science in 1972 and was Chief Armament Engineer. He created and directed the laboratory dedicated to AI at the French Ministry of Defense. He applied these techniques in the definition and development of defence systems, and in particular defined and led the start-up of the Helios military space observation programme, which was used for France’s most sensitive international decisions. He was then Vice-President Large Operational Systems at Matra Défense Espace, and finally Director of Development of New Defence Systems at EADS.
He is a former Vice-President of the Air and Space Academy.
Abstract
The Air and Academy decided to organize this conference, not on AI as such, but more specifically on the concrete applications of AI to aeronautics, defense and space. Indeed, AI research dating back to the 60s has a solid basic maturity, and it is now in applications that we need to work. And it is precisely in these three areas that the greatest needs for application will be found. And also and indirectly new ideas.
A simple example: «operational research» which is part of AI has been used in our wars since 1914-18, but without computers by generals and colonels around a map, who built in hours of discussions the tactics to be employed. Now, with AI in the Future Air Combat System, it will be the onboard computers with some human links, which will decide in real time. And with incomparable efficiency.
This is just one example among those that will be presented. Of course, we will discuss the implications of these new tools, with their advantages and disadvantages.
I wish you an effective conference, and to come back with new ideas.
