Artificial Intelligence in Warfare

Artificial intelligence is set to be the defining technology of this generation. No consensus exists, however, over the impact that AI will have on the conduct of military operations in the future. Enthusiasts, pragmatics, and deniers all offer different interpretations regarding whether AI will revolutionise warfare or not. Attitudes range from believing that automation will change every aspect of how nations fight wars to believing that AI is too immature a technology to successfully assist battlefield operations in meaningful and revolutionary ways. This chapter, structured in three parts, argues that AI is already present on the battlefield, acting as an analytical enabler, disruptor, and force multiplier. These current uses of AI already entail some unique and consequential international security implications by offsetting the strategic offence-defence balance towards the offence as well as being subject to quick proliferation.