An experimental F-16 fighter jet has taken Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on a history-making flight controlled by artificial intelligence and not a human pilot. Kendall said he came out of Thursday's flight in California, witnessed by The Associated Press, confident enough in AI's capabilities that he would trust it to fire weapons. The flight is serving as a public statement of confidence in the future role of AI in air combat. The military is planning to use the technology to operate an unmanned fleet of 1,000 aircraft. Arms control experts and humanitarian groups are concerned that AI might one day be able to take lives autonomously and are seeking greater restrictions on its use.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says he doesn’t see a significant issue with Russia moving some troops onto an airbase in Niger where a small number of U.S. forces remain. Austin said late Thursday the Russians are in a separate compound and don’t have access to U.S. forces or equipment. A U.S. official says most American troops left that base in the nation’s capital, Niamey. Russian trainers arrived in Niger about three weeks ago. It was unclear then where they were housed. The West African nation has ordered all U.S. troops out of the country. The Pentagon has said they'll depart but hasn't provided a timeline.