In a 29 September memo the chief bigwigs have paused the use of any government data on web-based generative AI tools, which can create text, images or other media from simple prompts. The memo says they "are not authorised" for use on government systems unless specifically approved.

Language models that are trained on vast amounts of data to predict and generate new text and given birth  to an entire generation of AI tools that can search through troves of documents, pull out key details and present them as coherent reports in a variety of linguistic styles.

Space Force's chief technology and innovation officer Lisa Costa wrote in the memo that Generative AI "will undoubtedly revolutionise our workforce and enhance the service’s ability to operate at speed.”

But Costa also cited concerns over cybersecurity, data handling and procurement requirements, saying that adopting AI and LLMs needs to be "responsible."