Artificial Intelligence in Military and Defence

Artificial Intelligence in Military and Defence

As nations worldwide increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into their military capabilities, India has emerged as a significant participant in this technological transformation.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a broad field of computer science focused on creating machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.

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Significance of Artificial Intelligence in Defence

  • Enhanced Decision-Making: AI enables faster and more accurate decision-making through predictive analytics and data-driven insights.
    • AI-enabled systems in the F-35 fighter jet of the USA assist pilots with mission-critical decisions in real-time.
  • Strengthened Surveillance and Security: AI-powered systems like autonomous drones and surveillance tools enhance border security and reconnaissance operations.
    • AI systems like IBM Watson are used in military decision-making to predict risks in operations.
  • Cybersecurity Enhancement: AI helps detect and prevent cyber threats by analyzing patterns, predicting breaches, and automating responses.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management: AI optimizes supply chains by predicting equipment maintenance needs and managing inventory.
    • The U.S. Air Force has been using its AI-driven predictive maintenance across various aircrafts to save time and resources. 
  • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): AI accelerates data processing from multiple sources, such as satellites, drones, and sensors. It can  identify patterns, detect threats, and provide actionable intelligence.
    • Indrajaal Autonomous Drone Security System in India provides a multi-layered drone-based perimeter defense against UAV threats.

India’s Progress in Use of AI in Defence

  • India’s Defense Budget and Focus on AI Modernization: India allocated Rupees 6.21 lakh crore ($75 billion) to its defense budget last year, with a significant emphasis on modernizing its military capabilities. 
  • Government Emphasis on AI’s Role in Military Operations: The Union Defence Minister, has highlighted the transformative potential of AI in military operations. 
  • AI Innovations in India’s Defense Sector: India has made notable progress in developing and deploying AI-enabled systems, such as Indrajaal Autonomous Drone Security System.
      • The Indrajaal system is an AI-powered, autonomous drone defense system developed by Grene Robotics, a Hyderabad-based company.
    • Indian Army: The Indian Army has deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI) surveillance systems along its borders with Pakistan and China.
    • Air Force: The Air Force is adopting AI to improve mission planning and execution, focusing on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous systems. 
      • Further, the Air Force has also established the Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoEAI) at Air Force Station Rajokri, New Delhi under the Unit for Digitisation, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking (UDAAN) initiative.
    • Indian Navy: The Navy is exploring AI for maritime surveillance and threat detection, using machine learning algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data from various sensors and platforms. 
  • Attracting Foreign Investments in AI: India’s AI ecosystem has gained global attention, leading to significant foreign investments:
    • Microsoft’s Commitment: The company has invested approximately $3 billion to build data centers in Telangana, bolstering India’s AI infrastructure.
  • International Collaborations in AI Development: India actively participates in international partnerships aimed at advancing AI technologies, especially for military applications. 
    • These collaborations reflect India’s commitment to keeping pace with global developments in military AI.

Government Initiatives in Adopting AI in Defence

  • Task Force for the implementation of AI (2018): N Chandrasekaran Task Force was set up in 2018 to study implications of AI in national security.
    • Based on the recommendations of the Chandrasekaran Task Force, Defence AI Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) was created.
  • Defence AI Council (DAIC): Its primary goal is to provide strategic direction and guidance for AI-driven transformation within the Indian defense forces.  
  • Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA):  DAIPA was established to provide the necessary guidance and implementation framework for AI adoption in defense organizations.  
    • It serves as the central execution body for AI projects and initiatives across the Indian military.  
  • AI in Defense Symposium: In July 2022, India launched 75 AI-enabled products focused on automation, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and operational analytics.
  • Defence India Startup Challenge:  The Defence India Startup Challenge, part of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program, provides funding to startups developing advanced technologies for the Indian defense forces. 
  • AI Research and Development in DRDO:
    • Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru: Conducts workshops to train DRDO scientists in AI for defense systems and supports start-ups by nurturing innovation and collaboration.
    • DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSL):
      • DYSL-AI: Focused on AI-related research and applications.
      • DYSL-CT (Cognitive Technology): Concentrates on cognitive technology advancements for defense.
    • Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT): Offers certified courses in AI and machine learning.
  • Department of Defence Production (DDP) has earmarked Rs 100 crore per year for AI projects for the Armed Forces.

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Key Challenges Faced by India in the use of AI in Defence:

Despite this progress, several challenges hinder India’s full utilization of AI in defense:

  • Data and Funding: Limited digitized data for training AI systems and the high cost of data centers pose significant obstacles. 
  • Policy Gaps: While India has outlined national AI strategies and principles for responsible AI, specific guidelines for military AI deployment and regulation are lacking.
  • Inter-Service Interoperability Issues: The separate doctrines, systems, and communication practices of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force create interoperability challenges and complicate the procurement of systems for joint operations.
  • Over-reliance on Public Sector Units (PSUs): While PSUs play a role, limiting defense procurement primarily to them hinders innovation and access to advanced systems developed by private companies and startups.
    • Private sector startups and enterprises, which are better equipped to develop cutting-edge AI solutions, remain underutilized.
  • Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Hacking Risks: AI systems are susceptible to cyberattacks, such as data breaches, adversarial inputs, and hacking attempts.
  • Ethical and Security Concerns: Autonomous AI systems raise accountability issues, particularly in the context of decisions with lethal consequences.
    • Ethical questions about bias in AI systems and their impact on human rights are yet to be fully addressed.
  • Exploitation of Generative AI by Terrorist Groups: Terrorist Groups can use AI to spread fake images/videos to manipulate emotions and influence behavior.
    • Hamas-affiliated groups have used AI-generated images in the recent Gaza conflict to spread misinformation.

Ethical challenge in the use of AI in Military

The use of AI in military applications raises a host of complex ethical debates. Here are some of the key concerns:

  • Life-and-Death Decisions: Granting machines the power to autonomously select and attack targets raises ethical issues about human dignity and international humanitarian law.  
  • Lack of Judgment and Empathy: Machines/Computers lack essential human qualities, risking civilian harm and conflict escalation.
  • Accountability and Responsibility: If an autonomous weapon commits a war crime, it is unclear who should be held responsible. This lack of accountability undermines the principles of justice and deterrence.
  • Bias in Training Data: AI may perpetuate discrimination, leading to unfair or harmful targeting of certain groups of people.  
  • Lack of Transparency and Explainability: Many AI systems are “black boxes,” meaning that it is difficult to understand how they arrive at their decisions. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to identify and correct biases.  
  • Proliferation and Arms Race: AI could make advanced weapons technology more accessible to a wider range of actors, including non-state groups and terrorists.  

Global use of AI in Military and Defence

  • United States’s Project Maven: This initiative aims to accelerate the integration of big data and machine learning into military operations, particularly for full-motion video analysis in counterterrorism operations.
  • China:  China has emphasized the importance of AI in future warfare, aiming to develop systems that can operate with minimal human intervention.  
  • Israel: Israel utilizes AI for border surveillance, employing sensors, cameras, and machine learning to detect and respond to potential threats along its borders.  

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Way Forward

To fully leverage AI in defense, India needs to:

  • Develop Robust Frameworks: Establish clear policies and regulations specifically for military AI deployment and ethical use.
  • Promote Inter-Service Collaboration: Break down silos between the armed forces to ensure interoperability and effective joint operations.
  • Encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Foster collaboration with private companies and startups to drive innovation and access cutting-edge technologies.
  • Foster International Cooperation:
    • Engage in international dialogues: Participate in international discussions and collaborations on AI in defense to share best practices and address common challenges.
  • Enhance Research and Development (R&D):
    • Increase R&D funding: Allocate more resources to AI research and development in the defense sector.
    • Foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government: Create platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing between research institutions, private companies, and defense organizations.
    • Promote indigenous AI development: Encourage the development of indigenous AI technologies to reduce reliance on foreign sources and ensure strategic autonomy.
  • Emphasize Ethical Considerations:
    • Develop ethical guidelines for military AI: Establish clear ethical principles and guidelines for the development and deployment of AI in military applications, including the use of lethal autonomous weapons.
    • Ensure human oversight: Maintain human control over critical decisions, especially those involving the use of force.
    • Promote transparency and accountability: Ensure transparency in the development and deployment of AI systems and establish mechanisms for accountability.

Conclusion

As India embraces the potential of AI in defense, the focus should remain on fostering an environment that encourages innovation while addressing ethical and operational challenges. The integration of AI technologies into the armed forces not only promises enhanced national security but also positions India as a leader in the global defense landscape. 

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Key International Steps to Regulate AI in Defense

  • UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) – Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on LAWS (Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems):  
    • Established in 2016.  
    • Mandate: To discuss issues related to lethal autonomous weapons systems, including those involving AI.
  • UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Guidelines (October 2024):  Developed guidelines for national strategies on AI in security and defense.  
    • Purpose: To provide a framework for nations to develop their own policies and regulations regarding military AI.  
  • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Actively advocates for a comprehensive and legally binding set of norms and rules for the development and use of autonomous weapon systems involving AI.  

 

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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