Yes, artificial intelligence will continue to be the guiding force behind the technological revolution even in 2023. The AI Adoption Index Report by IBM Global indicates that the global AI adoption rate grew steadily and is now at 35%, a four-point increase from 2021. The study states that 35% of companies reported using AI in their business, and an additional 42% said they are exploring AI. The Global Artificial Intelligence in Military Market is estimated to reach USD 13.71 Billion by 2028 and may grow at a CAGR of 10.8% from 2021–2028. 

It reveals how AI benefits organizations and the defence sector with new automation capabilities, greater ease of use and accessibility, and a wider variety of well-established use cases. The fact that more industries are open to embedding AI into their current applications and processes is proof enough of its relevance. 

The adoption of AI will lead to the growth and advancement of the defence industry. Let’s take a look at how that can happen.  

 Determining the capabilities of the force through AI 

The defence and security sector in the world has been at the forefront of innovation and technology for decades. They have adopted, integrated, and fought wars through technological intervention, a classic example being the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, where the use of Kamikaze and suicide drones to fight an autonomous battle.  

 Decision-makers and technologists have realized the importance of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics in precision warfare. It has become the determiner of the force’s defensive and offensive capabilities. And it is not restricted to the military alone. Police and border security also benefit from these solutions in their day-to-day operations and site management. 

 In India, earlier this year, the Indian Army set up an AI Centre in Madhya Pradesh where they research new and emerging technology and develop study material for the industry with extensive research in developing transformative technologies for military use. Recently, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 75 AI-enabled products at the first-ever AI in Defence (AIDef) symposium and exhibition. Singh spoke about how India can gain an early advantage in this area so that the playing field remains level in the years to come. India can become a global hub for AI-led defence technologies.  

 Re-defining modern warfare/fixing the barriers to scale 

AI will empower the control room operations and acts as a guiding force for warriors on the battlefield. 

 AI-powered platforms that integrate with the equipment of a soldier can provide critical data and minimize errors.  

 Translating data into actionable intelligence 

Any country’s defence systems handle humungous amounts of data. The outcome of any skirmish or battle can depend on the data fed into the system. Due to the nature of the business, most data has to be kept secret and not made available to cross-functional teams. That leaves a heavy amount of relevant data unused and untapped. One of the significant reasons why AI is relevant is that it helps to translate the data into actionable insight and intelligence for effective decision-making without compromising safety and security.  

 A successful data analysis can also enhance ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities. It can provide valuable insights in difficult situations like harsh terrains or under-ocean patrolling missions where the terrain itself can sometimes turn into the enemy. That will allow soldiers to scout the area with precision and alert them of dangers.  

  Evidence-based investigations  

AI enables reason-based analysis that the police forces can apply during investigations. From collecting to interpreting data, including paper-based data, solving cases can become simpler by combining data from multiple sources to derive accurate results. FBI used them to detect serial killers. 

 Data and machine-learning algorithms can help determine potential threats and deploy resources accordingly. Furthermore, the usage of AI algorithms and smart sensors aids them to identify suspects and create a holistic approach to the case.  

 Advanced surveillance and remote diagnosis 

Geospatial analysis with AI can aid in extracting insightful data and information from networked devices such as radars and automatic identification systems. It can help to detect unlawful or suspicious actions and alert the appropriate authorities. IoT-enabled robots with AI and computer vision can facilitate threat tracking and surveillance.  

 Remote diagnosis is another benefit of integrating AI into the surveillance system. Often, our defence forces need to scout and scan areas that are beyond the reach of a human being. Yet, gathering information is crucial, and the force can fly a drone for the same. However, sending a drone alone does not serve the purpose. Continuous mapping is required, and remote diagnosis of the system becomes critical for the seamless functioning of the drone. Fixing system errors remotely, over-the-air system upgrades, and backup management are a few support solutions that can come in handy for the effective functioning of the team. 

 What can be the possible risks involved with integrating AI? 

While we have discussed the benefits of integrating artificial intelligence in the military and security sector, we should consider the potential challenges too. Protecting one’s privacy can be a challenge in the open AI environment. There can be strategic risks like escalating an ongoing war because we have the resources and the technological capabilities to keep fighting.  

 Also, we cannot deny that if we can program a system to save humans, wildlife, and the environment at large, it can also be a cause of destruction purposefully. Since there is a minor chance of error, the system will never be able to judge whether the shot is justified or in vain leading to loss of life and natural resources. The programming can also result in biased decisions.

 An AI algorithm is only as good as the data that has been fed, so high quality is essential for creating an effective system. Rigorous and early testing of models can also help create fair and unbiased AI. 

Nevertheless, AI is the future of modern warfare

The defence establishment of any nation needs to utilize data and modern AI-enabled hardware to stay relevant. They cannot do without scalability solutions in a world where militaries are already fighting technical wars.  

Given the number of assets involved — people, vehicles, equipment, and technology — only an integrated solution can bring all these diverse assets together and make sense of the whole.  

 What we observed above are just a few examples of how AI will transform modern warfare systems. There is a lot more that this technology can do. Certainly, it holds the key to the future of the defence and security of a country. 

Photo by Paddy Kumar on Unsplash