AI Bibliography

Much military Artificial Intelligence research and development funding is targeted at improvements to tactical level systems which are realisable in the short term.i Here, the potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are often limited by the quality of sensory inputs and the ability of machines to interpret them. However, to fully understand the implications of AI in warfare, there is a need to envision its application in a future battlefield where sensors and inputs are optimised for machine interpretation. We must also try to understand how artificial intelligence will be qualitatively as well as quantitatively different to ours. This paper presents the potential for both automation and autonomous machine decision-making in the Comprehensive Operations Planning Process. It argues that the most significant latent potential of AI may be at the operational and strategic, rather than the tactical, level. The implications of increased machine involvement in high level military decision making are then explored, highlighting the potential and some of the risks. The development of Artificial Intelligence for application in these circumstances should be characterised as an arms race we cannot afford to lose, but that we must undertake with the greatest of care.