As of recently, nuclear bomb development has been the talk of the day while any news you open will most certainly speak about wars being led. As foreshadowed by some political figures, those with the most advanced technology have the greatest advantage.
AI has developed significantly in the past years and with that, its use in warfare has increased. This presents some benefits for nations but also some consequences and uncertainties.
Firstly, what are some major uses of AI in warfare? Well, AI is used in decision making and strategic planning, processing information in systems faster than military commanders can. This makes a great difference in efficiency as conflict waits for no one, speed is crucial in defending a nation. If one nation is put up against a nation which uses AI systems, their defense will be compromised due to the manual process of military commanders being much slower.
Similarly, this technology offers enhanced precision in targeting- autonomous weapons have now taken the stage with autonomous drones being used by many nations, including Ukraine. These can help identify targets and separate them from civilians and civilian objects to prevent direct damage and harm.
Now, this form of targeting does come with risks. As the weapons perform autonomous functions and are used to a set info and inputs, errors can occur, so that a civilian is recognised as a threat and killed. In this case, ethical and legal issues arise, where people question who should be blamed for incidents when the machine was technically the one responsible. As some researchers state, the one thing AI lacks that we humans do so well is doubt. Doubt allows us to stop and reconsider our actions while these weapons act according to patterns.
The Human Rights Watch and International Human Rights Clinic already warned of issues in 2012, requesting a ban. Later on, in 2017 an open letter to the UN was signed by many AI and robotics CEOs and founders but legal regulations on AI use- outside of its basic right to privacy framework- is yet to be established.
Following that, humanitarian jobs are very important in ensuring the safety of those still in or fleeing the country. With AI, improved precautionary measures have been developed by creating real-time information on locations of civilian buildings and updated risk assessments so that the military can take steps necessary to reduce harm. Likewise, it can help refugees find a safe way out and those staying can find their way to shelters and aid.
Although, another disadvantage of AI lies in its use, that is, misuse outside of the war terrain. There has been an incident recently, where a photo of a jet supposedly damaged in war was published by a fake account and gained popularity quickly. As stated by BBC and similar news channels, the image was generated by AI and such images should not be used to try and fuel debates and influence political stances. As we know, social media is a powerful way of getting politics and news across. So the next time you check any social platforms, you must carefully look at photos/texts and check who posted them before forming your own opinion or sharing online.
In conclusion, AI can be a potent tool in defending citizens after a conflict has started, ensuring that civilian harm is minimised and humanitarian aid safely provided. Although it can also present certain dangers, with errors and ethical issues as well as spreading disinformation. Therefore further development and regulations are needed to ensure the best for the people whose countries are facing difficult situations.
Sources:
● Marr, B. (2024). How AI Is Used In War Today. Forbes. [online] 18 Sep. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/09/17/how-ai-is-used-in-war-today/.
● Batallas, C. (2024). When AI Meets the Laws of War | IE Insights. [online] IE Insights. Available at: https://www.ie.edu/insights/articles/when-ai-meets-the-laws-of-war/.
● Humble, K. (2024). AI & the future of conflict. [online] Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Available at: https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/07/12/war-artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-conflict/.
● Erskine, T. and Miller, S.E. (2024). AI and the decision to go to war: future risks and opportunities. Australian journal of international affairs, 78(2), pp.135–147. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2024.2349598.
● Harris, J. (2025). Inside the Rise of AI-Driven Combat. [online] Youtu.be. Available at: https://youtu.be/geaXM1EwZlg?si=7_XB4SiQMxcDVxbe [Accessed 23 Jun. 2025].
