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The capabilities of artificial intelligence are growing, and everyone knows it. Initially seen as a force for good, as a demonstration of the technological advancements and capabilities of humankind, AI now raises concerns, straying into fields like warfare. AI is a new component of warfare that is no longer constrained to the world of science fiction. It has changed the game, and it is here to stay. So, how is this concept playing out on the battlefield?
The 2010s saw the beginning of a new kind of arms race, not naval, not nuclear, but AI. The concept of AI in warfare surrounds the idea of minimal human interference, handing more and more responsibility over to computers and software. It must be recognised that AI is outperforming humans on several fronts. In August 2023, the US Air Force’s experimental AI fighter jet, the Valkyrie, took flight for the first time with no humans on board. Its AI algorithm easily beat multiple human F-16 pilots in dogfighting trials. This development shows AI can limit human danger and ultimately casualties in warfare. But also that it could be more effective than human capability. These same ideas apply to unmanned aerial vehicles and drones that can complete surveillance and entire drone strikes with limited human involvement.
AI in warfare is not as much of a no-brainer as people believe it to be. Compassion is central to this, something that machines and computers do not have. Due to this, considering other ethical alternatives in war is unlikely, and in many respects, using AI to kill crosses a moral threshold. Entrusting AI to make life and death decisions without some level of oversight is a dangerous thought, potentially leading to unintended casualties and collateral damage. Collateral damage is already inevitable in war, as seen in Ukraine, so the question is: would more AI help or hinder this issue?
Precision strikes is one answer. Where AI has another advantage over humans is its ability to be extremely precise. Autonomous weapons, programmed by AI, are able to pinpoint and engage enemy positions with unparalleled accuracy. This precision thus decreases the chance of collateral damage and unintended civilian casualties. This precision is just one of the ways in which AI has forever changed the moral, strategical and tactical dimensions of warfare.
Let’s now observe AI’s role in recent conflicts. AI has been used in the Ukraine war, mainly to recognise targets and objects through satellite imagery, helping determine military movements, weapon placement and casualties suffered. In Sudan, AI-powered voice cloning technology was used to impersonate the former President, Omar al-Bashir and give the impression that he opposed the Sudanese military before the civil war, which completely altered the public perception of his support. Another example is the Israeli ‘Fire Factory’, an AI system used by the defence forces to locate targets and conduct bombings through marking out strategic locations which are then bombarded by drones. Much of the focus surrounding AI is about its role in the future of warfare, but in actuality it already plays a significant role.
Perhaps the greatest concern regarding AI’s use in warfare is the threat of cyberattacks. Hacking and data poisoning allows individuals to disrupt AI algorithms, shutting them down, or even turning them against their operators. The automotive industry suffered this scare in 2016 when a team of hackers successfully hijacked Jeep’s digital systems. They were able to disable cars’ brakes, accelerate vehicles, and even bring the cars to a complete stop. This prompted Chrysler to initiate a recall of 1.4 million vehicles. These events convey the great danger AI could pose to civilians if compromised or placed in the wrong hands. Put this scenario on the battlefield and the consequences could be unimaginable.
Humans need to keep a firm and tight grip on AI. Its systems and algorithms are competing with human level intelligence more and more each day. Humans no longer controlling AI, something we created, is a scary thought. With that in mind, AI’s place in warfare, especially in the future, is a hotly contested subject. The benefits of using AI in warfare are clear but may change through more development. Whether this outweighs the potential dangers of using AI in this way has not yet reached a consensus. For now, I believe AI’s role in the military is relatively safe and useful. But the potential for a catastrophic event to occur is more than possible in the future.
Image: ‘The Ultimate Game of Chess’, 2018 // Public Domain
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