Artificial Intelligence in the Military: New Frontiers for Defence
Artificial intelligence (AI) promised to revolutionise the battlefield, improving the efficiency of systems and weaponry, reducing the human presence in military operations, and accelerating decision-making. After years of theoretical development and research, AI has finally become an operational reality in 2024. Recent military operations in various conflict areas, such as in Ukraine and Gaza, show how AI is changing the warfare landscape.
In Ukraine, for instance, a field test was carried out that saw the use of autonomous drones to identify and destroy hidden targets without the direct control of a human pilot. Reconnaissance drones, coordinated via AI algorithms, autonomously plotted flight paths and, once the positions of the targets were identified, another group of drones carried out the attack. This type of operation marks a significant step towards the automation of military missions, reducing the risk for soldiers and increasing the effectiveness of operations.
Other examples can be found in the use of AI to manage air strikes, where systems that automatically identify targets have been employed, as was the case with a military programme in Israel. In these contexts, AI has the ability to select individuals to target without direct human supervision, sparking debates on the need for greater ethical and human control in the use of autonomous technologies for lethal decisions.
AI for Defence: Drones and Autonomous Systems
In addition to improving attack operations, artificial intelligence plays a key role in managing data on the battlefield. The US military, for instance, has developed algorithms that enable it to rapidly analyse collected data to provide decisive information to commanders in the field. AI is also proving crucial in the creation of swarms of autonomous drones that can operate in a coordinated manner to accomplish specific missions. These swarms are designed to tackle specific operational problems, such as aerial surveillance, target destruction and defence against other enemy swarms.
The US Department of Defence has announced initiatives such as the 'Replicator' project, aimed at developing autonomous drones that can operate quickly and efficiently. These drones are part of a broader infrastructure that also includes defence against enemy swarm attacks, using AI to detect, analyse and respond to threats in real time. The ability of these drones to operate autonomously or in collaboration with human resources provides an important strategic advantage, creating a dynamic ecosystem that can rapidly adapt to enemy attacks.
The integration of autonomous systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS) and robots, is rapidly becoming the norm, marking a fundamental change in battle strategies. Operations conducted by autonomous systems reduce the risk for soldiers and increase operational continuity, even in the presence of threats such as swarm attacks.
Ethical Reflections and Concerns on the Use of AI for Lethal Force
Despite progress, the introduction of AI in combat contexts raises important ethical questions, particularly regarding the use of autonomous technologies to make lethal decisions. Although AI can improve efficiency, some experts raise concerns about the possibility that decisions made by autonomous systems may not be properly monitored, with the risk of causing collateral damage or hitting erroneous targets. The lack of direct human supervision, such as in the case of programmes that select targets for air strikes, is an aspect that requires attention to prevent the technology from making wrong or unfair decisions.
Furthermore, the increasing reliance on AI capabilities could reduce soldiers' ability to exercise critical judgement, creating a dependence on technology for decisions that should be made by humans in complex and variable contexts. The risk of delegating life-and-death decisions to an automated system is an issue that needs in-depth consideration.
The discussion on the use of AI in military contexts is not only about the technology's ability to improve operations, but also about the need to establish clear limits and ethical guardrails that ensure that AI supports human decision-making without replacing it completely. It is crucial that the international community and defence industries work together to develop guidelines that ensure the responsible use of AI, especially when it comes to lethal applications.
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the landscape of military operations, offering new opportunities to improve efficiency, safety and battlefield responsiveness. However, the ethical challenges and risks associated with automating lethal decisions must be addressed. The future of the armed forces will be increasingly interconnected with AI technology, but it is essential that this evolution takes place with caution and appropriate human oversight.
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
