Control is needed – Political and tech leaders are all talking about this control. Many heads of state share the fear that artificial intelligence will outgrow humans and take control. There is no debate about where and why the regulation is needed. Currently AI is just a database. The world will change if ideas, emotions and predictive analytics evolve in the future. Experts in the field say that there is no guarantee that we will be able to successfully control and secure artificial intelligence once it reaches such a stage.
AI Potential in Defense Sector
Development of Autonomous Weapons: Drones and unmanned vehicles are an integral part of the defense sector. Able to handle a wide range of tasks from reconnaissance missions to logistic support and able to navigate dangerous environments, almost all countries are striving to maximize this area as it minimizes the risk of human soldiers.
Eg: US’s Replicator project
∙Deploy thousands of autonomous weapons within 18-24 months: this includes drones, unmanned vehicles and all air, land and sea weapons.
∙The main objective of this plan is to counter China’s military buildup
Prediction: Advanced data analysis models will be used to predict potential threats or security breaches. Such models can analyze large amounts of data to detect patterns and trends that may be impossible for human analysts to identify, thereby creating a proactive prevention strategy.
Cyber security: AI and machine learning are becoming crucial in the fight against cyber threats. These technologies can identify and respond to potential threats faster than traditional methods, they can learn from each attack and continuously improve their defense capabilities.
Combat Simulations: AI is also used to create highly realistic combat simulations for training purposes. These virtual environments can shape the best military formation by providing Soldiers with a diverse and comprehensive training experience.
Intelligence systems for command and control: Technologies can help process and interpret the huge data generated in modern warfare. It provides commanders with a comprehensive real-time picture of the battlefield and helps in decision-making and strategic planning.
Representative image Credit: X/Shutthiphon Chandaeng
threats
The first threat that comes to our mind is science fiction movies where AI takes over the world. Human decency, international laws of war and human rights are likely to be violated in AI warfare. We can see examples of this in the Russo-Ukraine war, which could be called the first full-scale drone war.
Unlike traditional drone warfare, which is monitored and controlled by human operators, the new drone warfare will be more automated. AI will shape the fundamental choices about who lives, dies and what is destroyed, regardless of color, caste or age. When civilians are killed in drone strikes, the blame is placed on the machines.
Open discussion, international cooperation, and responsible development are important to ensure that AI meets humanity’s security needs without jeopardizing world peace, moral principles, and state laws.