Exclusive: Lockheed Martin's Martell says warfare requires human-machine teamwork

What they're saying: "I want us to really focus on human-machine teaming, because ... I don't believe statistics at scale is going to get us to cognitive machines," Martell said to Axios' Colin Demarest.

• He said it's a human's job to train with the AI system they plan to deploy and to figure out what errors and limitations it has.
• "Then you can make the rational decision if you want to take responsibility, to deploy that device, to deploy that platform."
• "I choose to use it," he said. "And if it gets it wrong, my fault."

Case in point: Martell envisions a dream team of a pilot flying with a swarm of autonomous aircraft that can help protect the pilot.

Catch up quick: Martell previously served as the Defense Department's first chief digital and AI officer and understands how militaries are implementing AI into their classified systems.

Zoom in: The Army just received its first autonomous Black Hawk helicopter, which can complete missions independently or with remote supervision from a secure offsite location.

• The chopper is undergoing "rigorous" testing, and was developed with a Lockheed Martin subsidiary.
• The delivery reflects a broader push toward autonomous systems as drone warfare and unmanned vehicles become increasingly central to modern combat.

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