Just as gunpowder, tanks, airplanes, nuclear bombs, and similar weapons changed the nature of warfare in earlier times, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to change the battlefield in the modern day. Real-world conflicts have been impacted by AI; the wars in Gaza and Ukraine are two such examples. AI technology was “baptized” in actual combat situations during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Gaza War.
Increasingly, countries are competing with one another to use AI to their military advantage. Discussions around ethical AI, accountability, and transparency in military use are already taking place worldwide, and the applications of AI in the military are taking many different forms.
The summit serves as a forum for the international community to consider the need to strike a balance between utilizing AI’s potential and making sure it is used responsibly in conflict situations. India is taking a “wait and watch” stance and has not approved the summit’s conclusions. The Article aims to comprehend the military’s use of AI, the issues surrounding its application, the main points discussed at the REAIM summit, and India’s future course in its AI strategy.
Overview Of AI And its Use in Military Applications
Artificial intelligence is the creation of computer systems that can carry out activities like speech recognition, visual perception, decision-making, and language translation that typically need human intelligence.
One of the most significant advancements has been the ongoing advancements in natural language processing (NLP), which allows people to interact with machines using standard grammar and syntax instead of entering code. Computer vision is another discipline that has seen tremendous advancement, with new methods for analyzing images and videos producing ground-breaking outcomes.
AI applications for the military have grown to be a vital component of their operations and will only become more significant. Leveraging AI for contemporary military operations requires an understanding of its potential. The Pentagon recently updated its autonomous weapon doctrine, which demonstrates how the Department of Defense addresses these issues to guarantee that the application of AI advances American military goals.
Applications of AI in Military
AI may help with all facets of military employment, from organizing operations to moving troops, from educating staff to taking care of their medical needs. To be effective, the systems must be put into place in a way that is appropriate for the work at hand and by best practices.
1. Systems of warfare
By using AI, warfare systems including sensors, weaponry, navigation, air support, and surveillance can become less dependent on human input and operate more efficiently. These systems may need less maintenance as a result of their increased efficiency. The impact of human error is lessened and human bandwidth is freed up for other crucial activities when complete human management of military systems is eliminated.
The Pentagon has revised its autonomous weapons strategy to reflect current advancements in artificial intelligence. The update offers recommendations for the ethical and safe creation and deployment of autonomous weapons, one of the most practical military uses of artificial intelligence.
2. Training and Simulated Combat
The U.S. Army has long employed military training simulation software. To create digital models that equip soldiers with combat systems deployed during operations, it integrates computer science, software engineering, and systems engineering. This software is useful for a wide range of tasks, including replicating techniques employed in non-combative contexts and creating mathematical models.
As a result, soldiers will be more equipped to handle real-world scenarios. Before soldiers apply their talents in real-life scenarios, these simulations can give them realistic missions and duties to ensure they get as much experience as possible.
3. Self-Defense Weapons and Targeting
Unmanned vehicles and drones are examples of autonomous systems that play an unexpected role in combat by reducing the need for human intervention. These systems conduct combat operations, reconnaissance, and surveillance with little direct operator direction.
4. Swarms by Drone
Using swarm intelligence for drone operations is one of the most innovative and interesting new military uses of AI. For several reasons, these drone swarms are fundamentally far more efficient than a single drone. These swarms are capable of making judgments in a range of scenarios and can be employed in both simulations and real-world training activities.
While the swarm has a general goal, each drone can operate independently and creatively to achieve it. In reality, AI-controlled drone swarms are designed to behave similarly to natural insect swarms. When a bee discovers anything that could help the other bees in the hive, for instance, it will tell other bees about it in detail.
Concerns Regarding AI Use
Even though AI has a lot of potential on paper and in algorithms, its use in combat is yet unknown because even a small mistake might have disastrous results. The following are the main issues with AI’s application in the military.
* Ethical Issues:
Determining who is responsible for an AI error is a major challenge. It calls into question who is responsible—the AI system, its creators, or the military men who used it. This leads to an ethical conundrum that cannot be answered.
* The Human Agency Question:
Human agency is at the heart of the problem; rather than taking advantage of the time savings that technology provides, humans must be able to make crucial targeting decisions. In combat, especially when nuclear is involved, even the smallest mistake can result in unthinkable devastation. Human oversight is therefore essential, and humans should have the last word in AI judgments after thoroughly reviewing them.
* Cyberthreat Vulnerability:
AI systems may be vulnerable to adversary manipulation or hacking. These technologies could be hacked and used against their users, which could have dangerous and unforeseen effects on the battlefield.
* Technical Restrictions:
AI systems need a lot of training and a lot of high-quality, relevant data. Additionally, no two conflicts are alike; each one has its unique dynamics, including differences in location, the weaponry and tactics used, and other factors. This demonstrates that there is no computationally sound method for AI to make judgments or a theoretically sound combatant model that can be used to train an AI system.
Benefits of Using AI in the Military
* Safety
To safeguard themselves, people can assign risky activities to non-human agents. Tactical ground robots, for instance, are capable of handling bombs and navigating terrain that could endanger combatants.
* Cutting back on human labor
Soldiers may become exhausted due to the extreme strain that war places on the human body, which makes it difficult for them to concentrate and perform well. Human error, mission failure, serious injury, or even defeat can arise from this. But warriors may make greater use of their time and energy using AI. For example, AI can take full control and free up personnel to work on other tasks, including data analysis and battle preparation, instead of operating combat vehicles or planes.
* Improved Ability to Make Decisions
In times of crisis, military officials may make prompt and well-informed decisions with the aid of AI-powered systems that evaluate enormous volumes of data in real-time. We can make safer, more intelligent decisions in battle with little to no error thanks to automated technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) and drones are used to detect and convey potential hazards. They have an edge when getting ready for an attack since they can identify distant things more precisely.
Drawbacks of Using AI in the Military
* security risks
One of the main concerns with AI is security risks. AI could be compromised or exploited by hostile actors. Sensitive data may be taken and used against the other team if these systems are compromised.
* unpredictable
It might be challenging to assign blame when something goes wrong. As AI technologies improve and have the potential to perform activities on their own, this worry grows in importance. Furthermore, giving machines free will could have unintended repercussions, therefore we must proceed cautiously while developing and implementing these technologies.
In conclusion
AI is revolutionizing military operations, improving battle tactics and decision-making, and lowering the number of human losses. Its expanding influence is highlighted by conflicts like as Gaza and Ukraine. However, there are issues with lack of human control, cybersecurity threats, and ethical issues. The proper use of AI in warfare is emphasized in international debates such as the REAIM summit. India’s cautious approach is a reflection of the necessity of careful consideration before unification.
It’s critical to strike a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility as AI develops. Whether AI improves international security or intensifies conflicts will depend on how well it is governed. The future of warfare will be shaped by the responsible application of AI, which will make sure that it is a tool for stability rather than devastation.
