The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Future Military Conflicts

Humans are the dominant species on Earth, but not the strongest, fastest, or most resilient. In fact, humans are quite vulnerable. Most animals on the planet could easily kill a human if they felt threatened, yet humanity remains the dominant species. What sets humans apart from other species? It all comes down to brains! Humans have the largest brain-to-body ratio in the animal kingdom, giving them a significant advantage in intelligence, problem-solving, and planning.

Humans also have the ability to cooperate with each other, allowing them to work together effectively to achieve common goals such as hunting, building shelters, and defending against predators. Finally, humans can use tools, which gives them a major advantage in hunting, gathering, and waging war.

A snake will never create luxury conditions for itself. It will always hunt with its venom and return home when it’s full. That’s all a snake knows how to do—it will never, for example, build a business and hire other snakes to work for it. Birds can’t think about improving their nests, so they just use the same basic design for all their “architectural creations.”

Thanks to intelligence, humanity has been able to domesticate other species for its own, often selfish, needs. There’s a clear pattern: when a new being with obvious intellectual superiority enters an ecosystem, it can domesticate those without such abilities.

So, why this long introduction? Do you think artificial intelligence could domesticate humans, just as humans have done to other species for thousands of years?

Armed Conflicts Using Artificial Intelligence

The world stands on the brink of a new era of warfare, one that will directly depend on decisions made by advanced artificial intelligence. These systems are officially called Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWs), but are more commonly known as “killer robots.”

One of the largest sources of funding for AI research is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a U.S. Department of Defense agency responsible for developing new technologies for military use. The Indian government has also recently increased military funding for the development of new and advanced AI-based applications and systems.

In March 2021, a United Nations panel of experts on Libya reported that autonomous drones may have been used in combat for the first time in Libya in 2020. The report stated that Turkish-made Kargu-2 drones were used in fully automatic mode to attack participants in the armed conflict. Since then, similar autonomous drones have been used in many other armed conflicts.

Researchers predict that artificial intelligence will become a crucial part of modern warfare, largely because AI can process vast amounts of incoming data extremely efficiently.

Possible Applications of AI in the Military and Defense

Artificial intelligence is used by military and defense organizations in various ways: cybersecurity, logistics and transportation, target recognition, medical care, combat simulation, and soldier training. Here are some common scenarios for AI use:

• Situational Awareness: AI algorithms process large volumes of data from various sources (drones, satellites, sensors) to provide real-time situational awareness and rapid threat detection.
• Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms predict equipment failures and maintenance needs, reducing downtime and increasing operational readiness.
• Autonomous Weapons: AI algorithms are used to develop autonomous weapons such as drones and unmanned ground vehicles that can perform a range of tasks without human intervention.
• Cybersecurity: AI algorithms detect and prevent cyberattacks, enhancing the overall cybersecurity of military networks and systems.
• Decision-Making: AI algorithms assist decision-makers by providing real-time analysis and recommendations, significantly reducing the time needed to make informed decisions under stress and high risk.

It’s important to note that the use of AI in the military and defense raises significant ethical and moral questions and is the subject of ongoing public debate.

Why Is Artificial Intelligence So Important for the Military?

AI is extremely important for the military because it can greatly simplify many tasks. Dangerous assignments that would normally be carried out by human soldiers can be given to drones or robotic dogs, reducing the risk of casualties and improving combat effectiveness.

The military will actively use AI to analyze possible solutions and make the most optimal decisions. As these systems become more advanced, some decision-making could be fully delegated to machines, allowing commanders to focus on more critical tasks.

Specific Examples of AI Use in the Military

• AI-powered drones can be used to search for and identify targets or gather intelligence on enemy positions and movements. AI algorithms can also process and analyze the vast amounts of data collected by these drones, enabling the military to quickly identify potential threats and respond.
• AI is being researched and developed for advanced weapons systems. Autonomous weapons, also known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWs), can select and attack targets without human intervention. There is significant debate about the ethical and legal implications of such weapons. Many countries and international organizations oppose their use, but research and development continue in some countries despite legal and ethical concerns.
• AI is used to improve logistics and supply chain management. For example, AI algorithms can optimize military convoy routes, reduce fuel consumption and the risk of attack, and predict equipment failures for better maintenance scheduling.
• Drone bots for demining can use object maps to analyze and identify mines, deactivate them, or safely transport them elsewhere.
• Combat simulations in virtual reality can help prepare soldiers for real armed conflict.
• Augmented reality combat helmets can analyze the environment or provide enhanced vision.
• More effective air defense systems can analyze incoming enemy projectiles in detail to improve performance and accuracy, as well as reduce the risk of false alarms.

It’s important to note that while AI is increasingly used for military purposes, most of the scenarios above are still in active research and development.

What Happens If Humanity Starts Using AI in Wars Everywhere?

There are several possible consequences of widespread use of AI in military applications:

• Increased Lethality: AI-based weapons could be more accurate and deadly than traditional weapons, leading to much higher human casualties.
• New Forms of Warfare: AI could be used to develop new forms of warfare, such as cyberwarfare and autonomous weapons systems.
• Challenges to International Law: The use of AI in wars could challenge existing international law, such as the Geneva Convention.

Risks and Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in the Military

The use of AI in military applications comes with both risks and certain benefits.

Possible Risks:

• Autonomous Weapons: One risk is the development of fully autonomous weapons that can make decisions without human intervention. Such developments raise concerns about accidents, misuse, or unethical behavior. Mass production and deployment of killer robots may become possible very soon. Semi-autonomous drones and robotic missiles already exist.
• Lack of Human Judgment: Heavy reliance on AI could reduce the role of human judgment, leading to more and more critical decisions being delegated to AI. Over time, this could give autonomous systems too much authority.
• Vulnerability to Cyberattacks: AI systems can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access, sabotage, manipulation, or disruption of military operations.
• Increased Risk of Escalation: The use of AI in wars could increase the risk of conflict escalation, as countries compete to develop more advanced AI-based weapons.

Potential Benefits:

• Increased Efficiency: AI can improve the overall quality of military operations by automating routine tasks, freeing up commanders to make more important decisions.
• Comprehensive Approach: AI systems can analyze large volumes of data, providing military personnel with a complete picture for better situational awareness and strategic planning.
• Reduced Human Casualties: Using AI for certain military tasks, such as surveillance or bomb disposal, could reduce risks faced by human personnel and help avoid unnecessary casualties.
• Accuracy: AI systems can increase the accuracy of military operations, for example, by improving targeting systems, which reduces collateral damage and increases combat effectiveness.

According to many experts and human rights groups, the risks associated with military AI—especially the creation of fully autonomous weapons—outweigh any potential benefits. These risks range from technical failures and increased human casualties to violations of international law and ethical concerns about emotionless machines making life-and-death decisions.

Striking the right balance between human control and AI capabilities is crucial to ensuring responsible and ethical use of this technology in the military sphere.

Will Artificial Intelligence Ever Replace Human Soldiers?

The U.S. military is actively developing AI for use in all types of operations. While AI is not yet fully utilized, it could be terrifyingly powerful if used with malicious intent.

For now, it’s hard to imagine AI completely replacing human soldiers and providing security for entire countries through advanced patrol capabilities and instant annihilation of violators with autonomous weapons. However, it is realistic to expect this technology to reduce battlefield casualties, enable more precise drone strikes with less collateral damage, and create advanced semi-autonomous equipment.

When it comes to AI, the bigger concern is not killer robots running amok in the streets, but rather people with bad intentions using these technologies for their own selfish goals.

Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can be used for both good and evil. The key is to recognize the potential risks associated with its use and take active steps to mitigate them.