Top 11 scariest military applications of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI), computer programs that simulate human mental processes, is a new and promising technology that seems poised to change our lives in countless ways. , many (or most) of which we don't know yet.

Military applications of AI

With the rapid development of something that has the potential to be so powerful, the results can be unpredictable as it is widely available to the public, allowing users and researchers to explore potential applications. New applications of AI in widely deployed fields. Industries as diverse as education, medicine, media and engineering have witnessed the impact of integrating AI into the workplace.

But there is a principle of modern society, which can be considered an irrefutable maxim, that any new technology that can be exploited and adapted will be used for military purposes. the . The US military is at the center of technological innovation and it always has been, and AI has been practically introduced into the Pentagon.

While exploring how soldiers can best protect civilians, one must also acknowledge the potential dangers of AI when applied to surveillance systems and devices. love. Having the support of machines to make tactical decisions is something we've had throughout the past century of mechanized warfare, but leaving the decisions to use deadly force to a program Computer programming will remove some of human responsibility and eliminate the ability to make nuanced and ethical decisions about when to use force .

In chess, a player's error can lead to loss, it's just a small incident. But in the military, one mistake can lead to death and destruction .

1. Automatic machine gun

Two robotic guns (black) sit atop a watchtower filled with surveillance cameras pointing at the Aroub refugee camp in the West Bank, taken on October 6, 2022. Israel has installed robotic weapons that can fire tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber foam-tipped bullets (to minimize damage) at Palestinian protesters. The robots, stationed high above a crowded Palestinian refugee camp and in the nearby West Bank hotspot city of Hebron, use AI to track targets. (Photo: AP).

Already deployed in Israel to cover the West Bank and Gaza Strip lines, these automatic weapons are programmed to track and fire at targets on their own , which could lead to to devastating consequences for civilians. The idea of ​​a gun being capable of firing at a target without precise and specific orders from a human is at least a little scary, or at least potentially so. And while it may sound like something found in a video game or a futuristic sci-fi movie, this already exists and the technology has been deployed by the Israeli government. .

Near the watchtower is the minaret of a large synagogue in the area. (Photo: AP).

However, it must be admitted that saying this weapon will fire without human intervention is an exaggeration, but it is not far from the truth. In the West Bank, Israeli settlements intertwine and thus enclose more "Palestinian territory" than most Westerners can imagine. The map of the West Bank is a spider web of protected neighborhoods with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) set up at perimeters and checkpoints, ostensibly to keep the peace. In the control towers there are soldiers who monitor activity outside the wall to detect potential threats and when a target is detected, the soldier can command the gun turrets towards a known target. - and guns take over from there. The guns are said to be equipped with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades, used to prevent unstable situations from arising. But the possibility of using live ammunition in these places is huge and in the wrong hands could easily lead to atrocities.

Two Palestinians are walking past the aforementioned Israeli military watchtower. (Photo: AP).

The automatic gun emplacement is similar to those at the Aroub camp in the southern city of Hebron, just 10.6 km from the Aroub refugee camp. According to a report, the weapons system at the Shuhada street checkpoint can fire stun grenades and tear gas, as well as rubber foam-tipped bullets. (Photo: New Arab).

2. AI-guided missiles

Guided missiles have been a weapon in the arsenal of modern armies for decades now. Early missile models used optics for tracking, followed by infrared and lasers, but all of these required specific inputs to successfully reach the target. The next generation of guided missiles will be able to autonomously adjust their flight direction using algorithms designed to react to changing conditions on the battlefield.

Being developed by the US Department of Defense (DOD), this next generation of guided missiles will be capable of independently tracking targets after launch using optical, infrared, and radar imaging. and other technologies, use AI to maintain a fixed target and adjust its path. These are long-range weapons that can fire up to 200 miles (321.8 km) from targets and achieve near-perfect accuracy . Furthermore, data links could allow multiple weapons to operate together, with information shared to update targets throughout the flight path.

The Hellfire R9X missile is the closest example of an AI-guided missile, although it is actually guided by radar and GPS. The first stage of the guidance system uses GPS to locate the target, while the second stage uses lasers to guide the missile to its destination. This two-stage guidance system ensures that the Hellfire R9X can hit the target even if the target moves (e.g. from room to room, or enters and exits the house) or there is interference. AI-guided missiles are expected to handle both phases with much greater precision and agility. (Photo: AP).

While more precise targeting may be seen as a way of ensuring that strikes on strictly military targets can reduce potential civilian casualties, the technology is growing at breakneck speed. There is still reason to be careful that this technology does not fall into the wrong hands.

3. Drone fleet

Many of us have had the opportunity to experience the magic of a drone light show, where flocks of drones flying around in the night sky gather to create The image is illuminated in the sky. This dazzling entertainment is made possible by drone technology and AI, but the same fundamentals that make this light show possible can also be applied to systems weapons to create devastating effects.

The Pentagon has named this Autonomous Multi-Domain Adaptive Swarms-of-Swarms (AMASS, roughly translated as Automated Multi-Domain Adaptive Swarms) . The goal is to develop the ability to launch a fleet of drones from land, sea and air - all interconnected and autonomous - with the result of encircling the enemy and coordinate their strongholds with overwhelming force. The US Department of Defense is working hard on this project, pouring billions of dollars into research and development. Among other countries, it is also known that China in particular is spending billions of dollars on military AI research, creating a modern arms race based on high technology.

A fleet of drones is used to detect military targets in AUKUS (Australia – UK – USA) artificial intelligence trials. (Photo: Naval Technology).

A squadron of drones has been deployed by Israel. In 2021, the IDF sent a fleet of fully autonomous drones to locate and attack Hamas, along with other conventional weapons. While the U.S. Department of Defense has safeguards in place to uphold certain ethical principles related to AI, as the technology matures and spreads to other countries, the This may become insufficient.

Drone achievements: A photo taken by an Israeli drone shows 14 underground rocket launchers located in the yard of a school in the Gaza Strip used by Palestinian terrorist groups during the conflict. May 2021 between the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas. (Photo: Times of Israel).

4. Robot soldiers

The idea of ​​soldiers on the battlefield facing ruthless and precise machines, like Battlestar Galactica's Cyon Centurians or Star Wars' droid (robot) army, seems like flights of fantasy. comes from the world of science fiction, but real life may be about to recreate that scenario in reality, as usual. The U.S. Department of Defense is investing heavily in advanced weapons that use AI and other autonomous technologies to augment land, sea and air forces .

Although the actual machines are unlikely to be humanoid with two legs, their autonomous nature and full armament can be seen in wheeled, tracked, and even powered forms. spend. While Boston Dynamics has signed a pledge not to allow its robots to be developed into military equipment, other companies have not done so . Ghost Robotics is developing dog-like quadruped robots, where the use of legs for locomotion allows the machines to traverse most surfaces and steps, going where crawlers or wheels The vehicle may get stuck. They can be used as automated assistants, using AI to monitor the activities of deployed units, following soldiers automatically using a wireless connection. They can also be used for reconnaissance, mine clearance or firing weapons from a distance, helping soldiers stay out of enemy's range.

Ghost Robotics' robot dog carries Lockheed Martin's Indago drone and Digital Force Technologies' reconnaissance sensors on its back to expand the range of combat capabilities, during a 2021 military exhibition. (Photo: Twitter).

The possible applications of such a device are endless but also present an ethical minefield. Setting boundaries on how these can be deployed in a way that achieves international agreement may make clearing this ethical minefield more difficult than it would have been traditionally done. Don't, though. Expect to see robots lining up against each other on the battlefield.

5. Collect intelligence using AI

A good commanding officer knows that they are only as good as the information they have to act. For ages, intelligence gathering has been a vital part of any successful military campaign, and it has become exponentially more complex over the past three decades. Although we have long since entered the digital age, the integration of AI into intelligence gathering technologies is about to raise that sophistication to levels that would have been unfathomable just a decade or so ago. .

There will never be a substitute for visual enemy tracking, but the digital world in which we all operate provides avenues for gathering different types of intelligence. .

US Army Cyber ​​Command, established in 2010, supports the Army in many ways, including digital surveillance. When applied to military intelligence, AI speeds up data collection and analysis by orders of magnitude. The Air Force wants it integrated into all of its future intelligence technologies. Not only can it collect huge amounts of data, but it can also be trained to analyze specific information and process it into actionable information automatically. It also breaks down language barriers and can be used to recognize individuals' voices and faces in ways that were not possible before. And this growing field is just starting its journey.

Marines from the Marine Corps Cyber ​​Command are observing computer screens at the cyber operations center at Fort Meade, Maryland, February 5, 2020. (Photo : Defense).

The release of automated AI intelligence gathering into society creates the danger of an information collection network targeting ordinary citizens. The risk of violating constitutional rights is so high as this technology develops, that many have urged the government to closely monitor the Department of Defense to prevent civil liberties from being infringed in the name of security. .

6. Automated drones

As part of an Australian defense initiative, Boeing is developing and building what is known as the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, and the US Air Force has expressed significant interest in the project. . Not only is this new aircraft the latest in drone technology, but the addition of AI will be much different than existing platforms, such as the Predator. The Ghost Bat is an AI-controlled "loyal support aircraft" that flies alongside fighter jets and supports pilots on missions by providing them with additional surveillance and firepower capabilities. already available.

The Ghost Bat has a range of 2,300 miles with a flight time of 16 hours and can reach near supersonic speeds thanks to its Pratt & Whitney PW 600 turbofan engine. Unlike other drones Operated from command centers on the ground, it will be controlled by an aircraft that comes with several AI-powered systems to allow it to perform mission functions autonomously . It will have functions that allow it to tail the main aircraft (piloted by the pilot) without the pilot providing it with specific flight control inputs, and will also have the ability to take off and land automatic wings .

The Ghost Bat Boeing MQ-28 during a high-speed ground test. (Photo: Wikipedia).

The Ghost Bat has not yet been used by any air force, but testing is ongoing and certification may be expected soon. This technology does not pose many ethical dilemmas or pose a threat to civilians; But for opposing forces, it will be a terrifying enemy, multiplying incoming threats with an aerial vehicle without the fear of loss of life like conventional fighters.

7. Automated submarines

In official parlance, unmanned submarines are called Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and their development is well underway. The US Navy and other countries have deployed many UUVs that are remotely controlled from command stations on land or at sea. Ukraine has its own indigenous ship and has successfully carried out missions against Russian naval forces during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in 2022. However, future deployment of UUVs will have more level of autonomy thanks to the integration of AI in their guidance and targeting systems .

The US Navy is working to expand its UUV fleet, with the number of AI-controlled vessels increasing. One area of ​​particular interest is their deployment in the Caribbean and around South America in drug interdiction missions, as well as human trafficking prevention efforts. AI can help UUVs detect and track suspicious vessels, and alert on-board personnel at the water surface in real time about the location of a potential threat.

Operational diagram of UUV ships of the US Navy. (Photo: Thanh Nien).

The Royal Navy has begun research into building the largest planned UUV to date. It can operate up to 3,000 miles from home port for up to three months. But the real point of the story is that its navigation and actions will be completely guided by AI, allowing it to operate completely silently when deployed. The problem is that safeguards are in place to prevent an imperfect AI from disturbing the surrounding waters.

Some of the key components of an autonomous submarine, as illustrated in a document demonstrating how to control an AI-enhanced UUV's actuator: (a) Aries Unmanned Underwater Vehicle; (b) Gear head and underwater drive motor ECI-40 Maxon; and (c) underwater propellers. (Photo: MDPI).

8. Robotic insects

Scientists and engineers for centuries have looked to nature to find ways to apply concepts in mechanical design to create new technologies. The world of insects offers a rich source of inspiration for modern innovations, including miniature drones. These are perfect for carrying out surveillance missions in secret, as the drones are made small enough to move into enemy territory almost completely undetected. Furthermore, when used en masse, it can be extremely difficult for opponents to eliminate them.

Insect-shaped military robots are on their way to becoming a reality. British Special Forces already has the WASP, a small 6-inch aircraft used for reconnaissance missions in Afghanistan. Although operated remotely, the integration of AI is the next step in its evolution. Research in this area is ongoing and has attempted to overcome a number of obstacles. The provision of processors, storage memory, and ways to continuously power the devices are all severely limited by the small size of these devices, but these problems are not insurmountable if There is more research and testing being conducted.

The US Department of Defense has awarded contracts through DARPA to develop small, insect-inspired robots, primarily for search and rescue missions or performing inspections. in environments with toxic conditions for humans. However, as with so many civilian technologies of the past, it may only be a matter of time before more tactical applications are developed, without any treaty or guidance. any virtue that limits the destructive nature of new microscopic weapon systems.

DARPA officials explain that small-scale insect robotics research has benefited from previous technological advances in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), additive manufacturing, pressure actuators low power and sensor power. To date, there is still no micro robot system or complete robot that can competently perform complex tasks. Currently, most of today's micro and small robots rely on physical, optical, magnetic or RF (radio frequency) wiring for power, control and processing. limits their utility. (Photo: Military Aerospace).

9. Robot mules

Some of the more practical upcoming applications of AI and robotics are machines that can help soldiers carry equipment and supplies into battle. Modern soldiers carry about 27 pounds (about 12 kg) of personal protective equipment before adding any additional weapons, ammunition, and rations. With all the equipment and supplies carried, a soldier can carry up to 140 pounds (63.5 kg)! This increases fatigue, reduces mobility and makes injury more likely.

The extremely heavy equipment of a modern soldier: US Army Captain Kevin Wiley from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, covers himself with a pad during a break during Operation Regular Flint in Shele Kalay village, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, January 16, 2012. However, they must always carry all personal military equipment with them. (Photo: Task and Purpose).

New and developing technology to create autonomous robotic mules is emerging that could help soldiers fight more nimble and less fatigued. To ease the burden on soldiers, DARPA developed the Legged Squad Support System (roughly translated as Legged Squad Support System, or LS3). It is a robotic mule with a carrying function that was developed starting in 2012. However, after many tests, it was determined that it would be too noisy for practical use. However, today there is the Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT), an eight-wheeled electric unmanned ground vehicle capable of carrying heavy supplies to places that a conventional truck cannot go to. It can be operated remotely or semi-automatically using GPS signals and an inertial navigation system. It also has a tracked version and can operate underwater .

Type of MUTT vehicle with tracked wheels (4×4 version). In addition to its usefulness in carrying heavy equipment (pictured right) or even wounded soldiers, the armed variant (pictured left) is also equipped with Javelin anti-tank missiles, high-caliber machine guns .50 and M4 rifles. Future capabilities will include autonomous resupply, counter-drone systems (C-UAS); defense against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); electronic warfare (EW); direct fire and indirect fire. (Photo: Military Leak).

Structure of the MUTT with tracked wheels. (Photo: Military Leak).

These are the least scary of the upcoming generation of AI-powered military technology. However, when they reinforce tactical groups of soldiers in the field, they provide a distinct advantage over opponents who are forced to carry supplies on their backs.

The US Army Forces take delivery of the General Dynamcs MUTT vehicle in the 8×8 version. Its compact dimensions of 2.9 meters X 1.5 meters allow it to move through tight terrain and can be transported by helicopter. The vehicle's 1,136 kg payload allows for the transport of water, ammunition, rations, spare batteries and other supplies, allowing units to operate without immediate resupply. On-board power generation will also power the device and charge the battery. This helps improve the ability of forward units to carry out their missions persistently. (Photo: Armada).

10. Robots for monitoring both underwater and on land

Another situation where real life imitates science fiction is GuardBot. Like the Star Wars droid BB-8, GuardBot is an autonomous rolling ball that can provide covert surveillance on land and underwater.

GuardBot looks like a two-sided eyeball, straight out of an alien invasion movie. While the Marine Corps tested it as a very capable 'amphibious' reconnaissance vehicle, GuardBot's original purpose was even more of a science fiction nature: it was first designed to go up Mars. Photo: Popular Science.

This is considered an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UAV) and was jointly developed by Aquiline Drone and Guardbot. GuardBot's structure is unusual but gives it powerful capabilities: It's a rolling ball equipped with a camera that can provide 360-degree vision while moving on land and in water. It can come in a variety of sizes, from just 6.5 inches to 7 feet in diameter, with an internal mechanism that allows it to move forward and backward as well as have a free range of rotation. Compartments on either side contain interchangeable devices such as video cameras, infrared sensors, thermal sensors, microphones, and audio equipment. It can operate for up to 25 hours on a single battery charge, moving at 12 mph on land and 3 mph in water. Its unique shape enables it to overcome many types of obstacles and climb slopes. Single-point contact arrays have low rolling friction, helping to reduce power usage.

A GuardBot of the type without exposed spikes - a less common version than the spiked type, which implies its greater friction with the ground and is more suitable for water environments. It can be operated remotely using a 2-8 GHz data link and a laser spectrometer housed in a transparent half-sphere, capable of detecting chemicals used to make bombs from approximately just 2 inches away. (Photo: IBTimes).

This unique device can also be programmed using AI to become a roving 'sentinel' within a geo-fenced area, providing users with the ability to remotely monitor enemies with probability was found to be minimal. Testing with the US Marine Corps began in 2014. Information on any official deployment is scarce, but the device is still present and it may be supporting troops in somewhere right now.

11. Combat vehicles moving on the ground

In 2021, the US Army tested a fleet of Next Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCV) in Project Convergence 21, or PC21, a large-scale modernization test and The foundation force of the Army's Future Command. As part of ongoing testing at Army installations in Arizona and New Mexico, teams of soldiers, civilians, and contractors and industry experts are testing the latest advances in warfare modern, including the field of AI. (Photo: Army).

Starting in 2021, the US Army has been testing the next generation of unmanned combat vehicles controlled by AI. Final announcements of which projects will be awarded are still pending, and the range of potential systems is currently very diverse. Some of the ideas being explored include small and maneuverable tracked vehicles with heavy weapons that can be remotely controlled or have semi-autonomous capabilities, as well as large attack vehicles that could used with or without an operator. AI can be applied not only to propulsion and navigation, but also to targeting and surveillance systems that adapt to real-time conditions on the battlefield, while keeping soldiers at a safe distance.

Milrem Robotics' THeMIS UGV on a mission in Mali, designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and hot climate. In addition, the UGV has been equipped with autonomous functions including point-to-point navigation, obstacle detection and avoidance, allowing it to closely follow soldiers and patrol the perimeter. belt, providing supplies to the front lines and evacuating wounded soldiers with minimal operator intervention. (Photo: Military Embedded).

When these projects finally come to fruition, we can envision a scenario in which battles take place between remotely controlled devices, with standing platoons waiting to take over leadership. territory or advance to the front line with reduced risk. However, in any confrontation between unequal opponents, those possessing these advanced combat systems will have a significant upper hand. While this could reduce casualties in battle, it could also spur a new arms race based on technology and AI, for both good and bad purposes.