IN recent times, artificial intelligence has brought about revolutionary changes in all aspects of war and defence, enhancing decision-making capabilities to set up and improve an integrated defence system. The role of AI-powered technology in warfare is increasing rapidly. The use of artificial intelligence in military operations has increased the speed, capability and benefits of strategic data in decision-making. Today’s column presents an overview of how AI is being integrated into military strategies and systems. In this context, warfare periods have been classified into three parts: the first part is the Pre-AI Era which refers to conventional wars such as World Wars and the Cold War. The second is Early AI Integration and the third is the Current State of AI in Warfare.
In warfare, AI technologies, autonomous weapons systems, target tracking, airstrike intelligence, unmanned ground vehicles, spy robot soldiers, AI-powered weaponry—which can independently select targets unlike the human eye—and AI-driven cyber warfare can complicate and increase the dangers of attacks. This allows easy targeting of enemy data systems, communication networks and other infrastructure. Artificial intelligence can assist in military planning, such as monitoring enemy movements, analyzing the battlefield and effectively utilizing military resources. AI-driven robots provide assistance in dangerous tasks, such as defusing bombs or engaging in urban warfare. AI creates realistic fake content to spread propaganda or create confusion within enemy ranks. AI monitors public and social media sentiments to gauge and influence public opinion during warfare.
Military applications of artificial intelligence, particularly augmented reality and virtual reality, have revolutionized defensive strategies through war simulations. Likewise, AI-equipped drones or groups of robots are employed to operate in synchrony as a single unit to gain control over the enemy. Future AI systems may utilize quantum computing to easily solve complex problems, thereby enhancing military capabilities. AI technologies are also being used for non-lethal purposes, such as monitoring civilian areas or providing aid during natural disasters in conflict zones. Using real-time data, AI-driven systems and software are employed in training and simulation formats to create models of various battlefield scenarios. This helps soldiers gain a better understanding of combat strategies and familiarize themselves with different technologies.
Although strategic advantages can be gained from the use of AI technology, many ethical questions arise regarding its application. Further advancements in artificial intelligence could potentially trigger an arms race of AI-powered weapons, complicating international relations even further. Artificial intelligence has seven patterns that serve as a framework for categorizing AI systems to address various problems. These patterns explain how AI can be structured and utilized to solve different types of issues. The description of these patterns is as follows:
1. Hyper-Personalization of content: This involves tailoring suggestions at an individual level for personalized use. 2. Recognition System: This refers to identifying patterns, objects, or elements within data. 3. Human Interaction and Conversation: This pattern enables natural communication between machines and humans. 4. Predictive Analysis and Decision Making: This uses past data and patterns to forecast outcomes or assist in decision-making. 5. Goal-Driven System: This is designed to achieve or enhance specific objectives. 6. Patterns and Anomalies: This involves identifying unusual patterns or behaviors in data that deviate from the norm. 7. Autonomous Systems Pattern: These systems make and execute decisions autonomously without human intervention. Each pattern utilizes different aspects of AI, and these patterns often work together in the real world. Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the way we fight. It has not only changed the tactics of defence and attack, but it has also had both positive and negative impacts on warfare, ethics, and global politics, and has raised many questions in this regard. One of its most dangerous aspects is deepfakes. The potential for manipulation, combined with artificial intelligence-powered cryptography and cybersecurity applications, raises numerous challenges to global security and information integrity.
Automated weapons and decision-making systems raise the question of who is accountable when an AI system makes deadly decisions. This could give groups or countries that gain better intelligence or disrupt the opponent’s AI an advantage. AI systems can misinterpret data or act on incomplete information, which can escalate conflicts without any human intervention. AI is not just a tool, but a factor in reshaping war theories. The use of AI in lethal roles can raise ethical issues. Therefore, it is essential to proactively address its ethical, strategic and operational challenges to avoid its destructive use. International cooperation will play a key role in harnessing its benefits as well as mitigating its risks. As we delve deeper into artificial intelligence, its more serious risks and consequences will become apparent.
The question now arises: are developed countries on the brink of a new kind of cold war? The evolution of new cold wars, driven by competition for AI supremacy, risks further dividing the international community. The views on AI from these forums emphasize the urgent need for a framework of cooperation that prioritizes ethical considerations alongside technological innovation. The development of AI could give rise to a new arms race that could be detrimental to global peace. AI technology could fall into the hands of terrorists or non-state actors, threatening global security. Israel is using artificial intelligence-based military technology in Gaza, raising concerns about the use of autonomous weapons in modern warfare. Considering its positive and negative aspects, it is necessary to establish global regulations for the use of this technology so that it can be used only for the benefit of humanity.
—The writer is Chairman, Tehrik Jawanan Pakistan.
