The Challenges of AI Command and Control

Over a year into the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of war in the heart of Europe, we are constantly reminded of the costs of military conflict. Once the fighting in Ukraine ends, we will face the prospect of asking hard questions about the lethal strategic and tactical decisions made, and begin assigning responsibility for those choices. Traditionally, these ethical dilemmas surrounding decision-making during war have been centred on discussions about human judgement, but with the advent of ever more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, new questions arise. Optimists might argue that machines couldn’t have done a worse job than humans. Can (artificial intelligence) AI-powered systems replace human commanders? And, more importantly, should they? In a recent article, I argue that AI is not only a powerful force multiplier in modern warfare, but potentially a strategic actor on its own.As human-machine interactions become increasingly entwined into modern conflict, assigning responsibility for warfare choices will become tactically, technically challenging, and ethically charged.