AI Reshapes Modern Warfare

What happened

Nations have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations, notably deploying AI-powered drones that contribute to a significant percentage of battlefield casualties in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These AI systems enhance target accuracy and accelerate decision-making processes. AI's application now encompasses autonomous weapons systems, intelligence gathering, cyber warfare, and psychological operations, with algorithms analysing vast datasets for threat identification, enemy action prediction, and military plan optimisation. Furthermore, AI facilitates the creation of misinformation and deepfakes, impacting public opinion and potentially deceiving adversaries.

Why it matters

The integration of AI introduces significant operational constraints, particularly concerning the oversight of autonomous weapons systems, increasing exposure for military command to decisions made with reduced human intervention. The proliferation of AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes raises due diligence requirements for intelligence and information integrity teams, creating a visibility gap in verifying authentic communications. This shift places a heightened burden on strategic decision-makers and IT security personnel to manage the ethical implications and potential for over-reliance on AI technologies.