In a groundbreaking achievement that marks significant progress in military aviation, an experimental F-16 fighter jet equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) recently conducted a historic flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The AI system, designated as Vista, successfully maneuvered the aircraft through a series of lightning-fast maneuvers at speeds exceeding 550 miles per hour, subjecting the pilot to forces of five times the force of gravity. The aircraft engaged in close-quarters combat with a human-piloted F-16, demonstrating the AI’s ability to effectively handle high-stress situations. The USAF Secretary, after witnessing the flight, expressed confidence in the AI’s potential to make critical decisions, including the use of weapons. The US Air Force is contemplating an AI-powered fleet of over 1,000 unmanned warplanes by 2028, raising concerns among arms control experts and humanitarian groups who advocate for restrictions on AI weapons systems.