AI and National Security


Jai Hind everyone, in this blog we will see what is AI? and it's role in the National Security. Let's Begin.

Introduction 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a stream of study that involves creation of advanced algorithms that can mimic the human brain. AI is often termed as a technology but instead it is an enabler to a constellation of technologies. The unique characteristic of AI is its potential to be integrated across various applications. AI's wide applicability in almost every sector has seamlessly permeated our lives—from the service sector (where we use voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, social media platforms, e-commerce websites, and Over-the-Top [OTT] platforms), to healthcare, agriculture, climate change, and the financial sector. In the defence sector, AI has immense potential for applications like Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), cyber security, military logistics, autonomous vehicles and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).


AI and National Security
Recent developments in AI, for instance, have brought transformation in the domain of hybrid warfare.The US National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) stated that AI "will be a source of enormous power for the companies and countries that harness them".

In the military domain, AI is enabling new autonomous capabilities and making them affordable to a wide range of actors. The dual use of AI has given weak states and non-state actors more visibility and options to ramp up their capabilities.

    Source: Internet

The military potential of AI has transformed the nature of battlefields, with more autonomous systems coming into the security landscape. The interplay of this technology with the defence systems has enhanced asymmetric warfare options. There are diverse applications of AI in the military, including in the area of ISR; Military Logistics; Cyber Space Operations; Information Operations and Deep Fakes; Integrated Command and Control; Semi-Autonomous and Autonomous Systems; and LAWS. The effective use of AI in applications in rockets, missiles, aircraft carriers, and naval assets and its integration in C4I2SR has made AI an essential factor in national security architecture.

Major Power Perspectives 
Currently, more than 50 countries have published their National AI strategies to harness the benefits of this technology while addressing the challenges and risks associated with its fair use and governance. According to the Policy Note by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), national AI policies of over 60 countries have been published.Canada and Finland were among the first few countries to come out with their National AI strategies in 2017. Countries like the US and China have integrated AI into their military capabilities and enhanced their asymmetric means of warfare.
   Source: Internet

1. The United States of America 
The US released its National Defense Strategy in 2018 that termed AI as one of the critical technologies that will ensure the US can fight and win wars in the future. In 2019, the US released its AI Strategy stating that “It is paramount for US to remain a leader in AI, to increase its prosperity and national security.”
The US Department of Defense plans to invest US$ 874 million this year in AI-related technologies as a part of the Army's US$ 2.3 million science and technology research budget.

Source: IDSA.

2. China
China is treading the path of military–civil fusion with PLA-supported AI developmental goals. It has made significant investments in Predictive Maintenance and Logistics, Information and Electronic Warfare, Command and Control systems, battlefield software, autonomous vehicles, training simulators and ISR systems.

In addition, China in 2017 released a strategy detailing its plan to take the lead in AI by 2030. The establishment of PLASSF (People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force) in 2015 and the New Era Roadmap in 2017 outline the complete AI ecosystem for the Chinese Army. According to its AI timeline, China is on track to become the "primary" centre for AI innovation to cultivate the AI industry worth 1 trillion RMB by 2030.

     Figure: China’s AI plan
    Source: IDSA.

3. India’s AI Implementation Roadmap
India started its AI journey in 2018 when NITI Aayog came out with the National Strategy on AI.1LHowever, it did not cover the Defence sector and was majorly for the commercial and private sectors (Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, Smart Cities and Infrastructure, Smart Mobility and Transportation). In the Defence sector, India can be seen as a late entrant but has been making decisive steps for matching up the major powers in terms of investment, indigenous development and bilateral and multilateral partnerships on the adoption of AI.
      Figure: India's AI plans

At the QUAD Summit 2022, cooperation in the field of AI was flagged. India and Japan, in June 2022, also discussed essential areas of bilateral cyber cooperation and reviewed the progress in the areas of cyber security, ICT and 5G technology. India and Finland have also agreed to work on areas involving new technologies like AI and quantum computing.

In July 2022, Ministry of Defence came out with 75 AI-enabled systems in the Def (Symp) specifically for the defence sector.In addition, 140 AI-enabled sensor systems have been deployed across Pakistan and China borders.The Indian Army will soon conduct trials of indigenously developed AI-enabled, un-crewed all-terrain vehicles in Ladakh for surveillance and logistics operations.

Key Takeaways
Advances in AI will progressively multiply the threats, challenges, and opportunities from the national security perspective. The military potential of AI can be transformative as it can be a tool of weaponisation to automate weapon systems and enhance cyber warfare. Due to its dual use nature, multiple AI-enabled systems are available with state and non-state actors, making it a factor of concern for maintaining strategic stability and deterrence. AI governance, ethics, data bias issues and regulations are significant challenges in developing a thriving AI ecosystem.
  Source: Internet 

Creating a supportive AI ecosystem in India will depend on investments in critical infrastructure, tapping the private sector innovation ecosystem and capitalising on the developments made by the leading nations in AI.

Indigenous development will be a key in adding value to our defence systems, and so will the multilateral and bilateral partnerships towards adopting AI. These could span joint development of technology, technology sharing and partaking in global policy formulation and standardisation.


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