Artificial intelligence arms race

Lethal autonomous weapons systems use artificial intelligence to identify and kill human targets without human intervention.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-20 |title=Homepage |url=https://autonomousweapons.org/ |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=Lethal Autonomous Weapons |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217115246/https://autonomousweapons.org/ |url-status=live }} LAWS have colloquially been called "slaughterbots" or "killer robots". Broadly, any competition for superior AI is sometimes framed as an "arms race".{{Cite journal|last=Roff|first=Heather M.|date=2019-04-26|title=The frame problem: The AI "arms race" isn't one|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|volume=75|issue=3|pages=95–98|doi=10.1080/00963402.2019.1604836|bibcode=2019BuAtS..75c..95R|s2cid=150835614|issn=0096-3402}}{{cite news |title=For Google, a leg up in the artificial intelligence arms race |url=https://fortune.com/2014/02/05/for-google-a-leg-up-in-the-artificial-intelligence-arms-race/ |access-date=11 April 2020 |work=Fortune |date=2014 |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915100028/https://fortune.com/2014/02/05/for-google-a-leg-up-in-the-artificial-intelligence-arms-race/ |url-status=live }} Advantages in military AI overlap with advantages in other sectors, as countries pursue both economic and military advantages, as per previous arms races throughout history.

In 2014, AI specialist Steve Omohundro warned that "An autonomous weapons arms race is already taking place".{{cite news|last1=Markoff|first1=John|title=Fearing Bombs That Can Pick Whom to Kill|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/science/weapons-directed-by-robots-not-humans-raise-ethical-questions.html|access-date=11 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=11 November 2014|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127221616/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/science/weapons-directed-by-robots-not-humans-raise-ethical-questions.html|url-status=live}} According to Siemens, worldwide military spending on robotics was US$5.1 billion in 2010 and US$7.5 billion in 2015.{{cite news|title=Getting to grips with military robotics|url=https://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21735478-autonomous-robots-and-swarms-will-change-nature-warfare-getting-grips|access-date=7 February 2018|newspaper=The Economist|date=25 January 2018|language=en|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207045540/https://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21735478-autonomous-robots-and-swarms-will-change-nature-warfare-getting-grips|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Autonomous Systems: Infographic|url=https://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/home/pictures-of-the-future/digitalization-and-software/autonomous-systems-infographic.html|website=www.siemens.com|access-date=7 February 2018|language=en|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122319/https://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/home/pictures-of-the-future/digitalization-and-software/autonomous-systems-infographic.html}}

China became a top player in artificial intelligence research in the 2010s. According to the Financial Times, in 2016, for the first time, China published more AI research papers than the entire European Union. When restricted to number of AI papers in the top 5% of cited papers, China overtook the United States in 2016 but lagged behind the European Union. 23% of the researchers presenting at the 2017 American Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) conference were Chinese.{{cite news|last1=Kopf|first1=Dan|title=China is rapidly closing the US's lead in AI research|url=https://qz.com/1197174/china-is-the-rising-artificial-intelligence-power/|access-date=7 February 2018|work=Quartz|date=2018|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206184805/https://qz.com/1197174/china-is-the-rising-artificial-intelligence-power/|url-status=live}} Eric Schmidt, the former chairman of Alphabet, has predicted China will be the leading country in AI by 2025.{{cite news|title=The battle for digital supremacy|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21738883-americas-technological-hegemony-under-threat-china-battle-digital-supremacy|access-date=19 March 2018|newspaper=The Economist|date=2018|language=en|archive-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318230125/https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21738883-americas-technological-hegemony-under-threat-china-battle-digital-supremacy|url-status=live}}

One risk concerns the AI race itself, whether or not the race is won by any one group. There are strong incentives for development teams to cut corners with regard to the safety of the system, increasing the risk of critical failures and unintended consequences.{{Cite journal |last1=Armstrong |first1=Stuart |last2=Bostrom |first2=Nick |last3=Shulman |first3=Carl |date=2015-08-01 |title=Racing to the precipice: a model of artificial intelligence development |journal=AI & Society |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=201–206 |doi=10.1007/s00146-015-0590-y |issn=0951-5666 |s2cid=16199902|url=https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:d87d8e34-22d6-4597-ac31-041fcb63903f/files/s5q47rq79d }}{{cite news |last1=Scharre |first1=Paul |date=18 February 2020 |title=Killer Apps: The Real Dangers of an AI Arms Race |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2019-04-16/killer-apps |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=12 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312123042/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2019-04-16/killer-apps |url-status=live }} This is in part due to the perceived advantage of being the first to develop advanced AI technology. One team appearing to be on the brink of a breakthrough can encourage other teams to take shortcuts, ignore precautions and deploy a system that is less ready. Some argue that using "race" terminology at all in this context can exacerbate this effect.{{Cite book |last1=Cave |first1=Stephen |last2=ÓhÉigeartaigh |first2=Seán S. |title=Proceedings of the 2018 AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society |chapter=An AI Race for Strategic Advantage |date=2018 |location=New York, New York, USA |publisher=ACM Press |page=2 |doi=10.1145/3278721.3278780 |isbn=978-1-4503-6012-8 |doi-access=free}}

Another potential danger of an AI arms race is the possibility of losing control of the AI systems; the risk is compounded in the case of a race to artificial general intelligence, which may present an existential risk. In 2023, a United States Air Force official reportedly said that during a computer test, a simulated AI drone killed the human character operating it. The USAF later said the official had misspoken and that it never conducted such simulations.{{cite news |last1=Xiang |first1=Chloe |last2=Gault |first2=Matthew |title=USAF Official Says He 'Misspoke' About AI Drone Killing Human Operator in Simulated Test |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ai-controlled-drone-goes-rogue-kills-human-operator-in-usaf-simulated-test/ |work=Vice |date=1 June 2023 |language=en}}

A third risk of an AI arms race is whether or not the race is actually won by one group. The concern is regarding the consolidation of power and technological advantage in the hands of one group. A US government report argued that "AI-enabled capabilities could be used to threaten critical infrastructure, amplify disinformation campaigns, and wage war"{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/153OrxnuGEjsUvlxWsFYauslwNeCEkvUb/view |title=Interim Report |publisher=National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence |year=2019 |location=Washington, DC |access-date=2020-04-04 |archive-date=2021-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910165838/https://drive.google.com/file/d/153OrxnuGEjsUvlxWsFYauslwNeCEkvUb/view |url-status=live }}^:1, and that "global stability and nuclear deterrence could be undermined".^:11

In 2014, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel posited the "Third Offset Strategy" that rapid advances in artificial intelligence will define the next generation of warfare.{{cite news|title=US risks losing AI arms race to China and Russia|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/29/politics/us-military-artificial-intelligence-russia-china/index.html|access-date=24 December 2017|work=CNN|date=29 November 2017|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915125033/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/29/politics/us-military-artificial-intelligence-russia-china/index.html|url-status=live}} According to data science and analytics firm Govini, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) increased investment in artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing from $5.6 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion in 2016.{{cite news|last1=Davenport|first1=Christian|title=Future wars may depend as much on algorithms as on ammunition, report says.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/future-wars-may-depend-as-much-on-algorithms-as-on-ammunition-report-says/2017/12/03/4fa51f38-d6b7-11e7-b62d-d9345ced896d_story.html|access-date=24 December 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=3 December 2017|archive-date=15 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815180455/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/future-wars-may-depend-as-much-on-algorithms-as-on-ammunition-report-says/2017/12/03/4fa51f38-d6b7-11e7-b62d-d9345ced896d_story.html|url-status=live}} However, the civilian NSF budget for AI saw no increase in 2017. Japan Times reported in 2018 that the United States private investment is around $70 billion per year. The November 2019 'Interim Report' of the United States' National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence confirmed that AI is critical to US technological military superiority.

The U.S. has many military AI combat programs, such as the Sea Hunter autonomous warship, which is designed to operate for extended periods at sea without a single crew member, and to even guide itself in and out of port. From 2017, a temporary US Department of Defense directive requires a human operator to be kept in the loop when it comes to the taking of human life by autonomous weapons systems.{{cite news|title=US general warns of out-of-control killer robots|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/paul-selva-gary-peters-autonomous-weapons-killer-robots/index.html|access-date=24 December 2017|work=CNN|date=18 July 2017|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915100050/https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/paul-selva-gary-peters-autonomous-weapons-killer-robots/index.html|url-status=live}} On October 31, 2019, the United States Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Board published the draft of a report recommending principles for the ethical use of artificial intelligence by the Department of Defense that would ensure a human operator would always be able to look into the 'black box' and understand the kill-chain process. However, a major concern is how the report will be implemented.{{Cite book|last=United States. Defense Innovation Board.|title=AI principles: recommendations on the ethical use of artificial intelligence by the Department of Defense|oclc=1126650738}}

The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) (pronounced "jake"){{cite report |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF11105.pdf |title=Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies |author=Kelley M. Sayler |date=June 8, 2021 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710211724/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF11105.pdf |archive-date=July 10, 2021 |url-status=live}} is an American organization on exploring the usage of AI (particularly edge computing), Network of Networks, and AI-enhanced communication, for use in actual combat.{{Cite web |title=DOD Unveils Its Artificial Intelligence Strategy |url=https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/1755942/dod-unveils-its-artificial-intelligence-strategy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902175533/https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/1755942/dod-unveils-its-artificial-intelligence-strategy/ |archive-date=2021-09-02 |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}{{cite web |title=Joint Artificial Intelligence Center |url=https://dodcio.defense.gov/About-DoD-CIO/Organization/JAIC/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625052007/https://dodcio.defense.gov/About-DoD-CIO/Organization/JAIC/ |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |publisher=Department of Defense}}{{Cite web |last=McLeary |first=Paul |date=29 June 2018 |title=Joint Artificial Intelligence Center Created Under DoD CIO |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2018/06/joint-artificial-intelligence-center-created-under-dod-cio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010192226/https://breakingdefense.com/2018/06/joint-artificial-intelligence-center-created-under-dod-cio/ |archive-date=10 October 2021 |access-date=10 October 2021}}{{cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jackson |date=June 19, 2020 |title=For military AI to reach the battlefield, there are more than just software challenges |url=https://www.fedscoop.com/military-ai-hardware-in-battle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626003552/https://www.fedscoop.com/military-ai-hardware-in-battle/ |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |publisher=FedScoop}} It is a subdivision of the United States Armed Forces and was created in June 2018. The organization's stated objective is to "transform the US Department of Defense by accelerating the delivery and adoption of AI to achieve mission impact at scale. The goal is to use AI to solve large and complex problem sets that span multiple combat systems; then, ensure the combat Systems and Components have real-time access to ever-improving libraries of data sets and tools."

In 2023, Microsoft pitched the DoD to use DALL-E models to train its battlefield management system.{{cite news |last1=Biddle |first1=Sam |title=Microsoft Pitched OpenAI's DALL-E as Battlefield Tool for U.S. Military |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/04/10/microsoft-openai-dalle-ai-military-use/ |work=The Intercept |date=10 April 2024}} OpenAI, the developer of DALL-E, removed the blanket ban on military and warfare use from its usage policies in January 2024.{{cite news |last1=Biddle |first1=Sam |title=OpenAI Quietly Deletes Ban on Using ChatGPT for "Military and Warfare" |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/01/12/open-ai-military-ban-chatgpt/ |work=The Intercept |date=12 January 2024}} The Biden administration imposed restrictions on the export of advanced NVIDIA chips and GPUs to China in an effort to limit China's progress in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The policy aimed to prevent the use of cutting-edge U.S. technology in military or surveillance applications and to maintain a strategic advantage in the global AI race.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-25 |title=US orders immediate halt to some AI chip exports to China, Nvidia says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67213134 |access-date=2025-05-19 |language=en-GB}}

In 2025, under the second Trump administration, the United States began a broad deregulation campaign aimed at accelerating growth in sectors critical to artificial intelligence, including nuclear energy, infrastructure, and high-performance computing.{{Cite news |date=2025-02-26 |title=Trump’s AI Policy Shift Promotes US Dominance and Deregulation |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/trumps-ai-policy-shift-promotes-us-dominance-and-deregulation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250508215733/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/trumps-ai-policy-shift-promotes-us-dominance-and-deregulation |archive-date=2025-05-08 |access-date=2025-05-19 |language=en}} The goal was to remove regulatory barriers and attract private investment to boost domestic AI capabilities. This included easing restrictions on data usage, speeding up approvals for AI-related infrastructure projects, and incentivizing innovation in cloud computing and semiconductors. Companies like NVIDIA, Oracle, and Cisco played a central role in these efforts, expanding their AI research, data center capacity, and partnerships to help position the U.S. as a global leader in AI development.{{Cite news |last=Blum |first=Sam |date=2025-01-21 |title=Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang Writes Letter to President Trump: ‘America Must Win the AI War’ |url=https://www.inc.com/sam-blum/scale-ai-ceo-alexandr-wang-writes-letter-to-president-trump-america-must-win-the-ai-war/91109901 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250225092608/https://www.inc.com/sam-blum/scale-ai-ceo-alexandr-wang-writes-letter-to-president-trump-america-must-win-the-ai-war/91109901 |archive-date=2025-02-25 |access-date=2025-05-19 |work=Inc |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Project Maven}}

Project Maven is a Pentagon project involving using machine learning and engineering talent to distinguish people and objects in drone videos,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44341490|title=Google 'to end' Pentagon Artificial Intelligence project|date=2 June 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=3 June 2018|archive-date=2 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602234829/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44341490|url-status=live}} apparently giving the government real-time battlefield command and control, and the ability to track, tag and spy on targets without human involvement. Initially the effort was led by Robert O. Work who was concerned about China's military use of the emerging technology.Cade Metz. (15 March 2018). "Pentagon Wants Silicon Valley's Help on A.I.". [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/technology/military-artificial-intelligence.html?searchResultPosition=4 NY Times website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408193329/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/technology/military-artificial-intelligence.html?searchResultPosition=4 |date=2022-04-08 }} Retrieved 8 March 2022. Reportedly, Pentagon development stops short of acting as an AI weapons system capable of firing on self-designated targets.{{Cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/artificial-intelligence/2019/12/11/report-palantir-took-over-project-maven-the-military-ai-program-too-unethical-for-google/|title=Report: Palantir took over Project Maven, the military AI program too unethical for Google|date=11 December 2020|website=The Next Web|access-date=17 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124074738/https://thenextweb.com/artificial-intelligence/2019/12/11/report-palantir-took-over-project-maven-the-military-ai-program-too-unethical-for-google/|url-status=live}} The project was established in a memo by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense on 26 April 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/establishment_of_the_awcft_project_maven.pdf|title=Establishment of an Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team (Project Maven)|author=Robert O. Work|author-link=Robert O. Work|date=26 April 2017|access-date=3 June 2018|archive-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421154751/https://www.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/establishment_of_the_awcft_project_maven.pdf|url-status=live}} Also known as the Algorithmic Warfare Cross Functional Team,{{cite news|url=https://www.fedscoop.com/google-employees-resign-project-maven/|title=Google employees resign in protest against Air Force's Project Maven|date=14 May 2018|work=Fedscoop|access-date=3 June 2018|archive-date=15 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715010951/https://www.fedscoop.com/google-employees-resign-project-maven/|url-status=live}} it is, according to Lt. Gen. of the United States Air Force Jack Shanahan in November 2017, a project "designed to be that pilot project, that pathfinder, that spark that kindles the flame front of artificial intelligence across the rest of the [Defense] Department".{{cite journal|last1=Allen|first1=Gregory C.|date=21 December 2017|title=Project Maven brings AI to the fight against ISIS|url=https://thebulletin.org/project-maven-brings-ai-fight-against-isis11374|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|access-date=3 June 2018|archive-date=4 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604115846/https://thebulletin.org/project-maven-brings-ai-fight-against-isis11374|url-status=dead}} Its chief, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Drew Cukor, said: "People and computers will work symbiotically to increase the ability of weapon systems to detect objects."{{cite web|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/06/03/google-backs-pentagon-project-after-uproar-report.html|title=Google Backs Off from Pentagon Project After Uproar: Report|author=Ethan Baron|date=3 June 2018|work=Military.com|access-date=3 June 2018|agency=Mercury.com|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714222415/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/06/03/google-backs-pentagon-project-after-uproar-report.html|url-status=live}} Project Maven has been noted by allies, such as Australia's Ian Langford, for the ability to identify adversaries by harvesting data from sensors on UAVs and satellite.{{Cite journal |last=Skinner |first=Dan |date=29 January 2020 |title=Signature Management in Accelerated Warfare {{!}} Close Combat in the 21st Century |url=https://cove.army.gov.au/article/signature-management-accelerated-warfare-close-combat-21st-century |journal=The Cove |access-date=15 July 2023 |archive-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715060746/https://cove.army.gov.au/article/signature-management-accelerated-warfare-close-combat-21st-century |url-status=live }} At the second Defense One Tech Summit in July 2017, Cukor also said that the investment in a "deliberate workflow process" was funded by the Department [of Defense] through its "rapid acquisition authorities" for about "the next 36 months".{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1254719/project-maven-to-deploy-computer-algorithms-to-war-zone-by-years-end/|title=Project Maven to Deploy Computer Algorithms to War Zone by Year's End|author=Cheryl Pellerin|date=21 July 2017|publisher=DoD News, Defense Media Activity|access-date=3 June 2018|agency=United States Department of Defense|archive-date=4 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604115837/https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1254719/project-maven-to-deploy-computer-algorithms-to-war-zone-by-years-end/|url-status=live}}

The U.S. Department of Defense is partnering with Ukraine on "Project Artemis" to develop advanced drones that can withstand electronic warfare, blending Ukrainian simplicity and adaptability with American precision. Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine has emerged as a leader in drone production and warfare, creating cost-effective systems that challenge traditional approaches. Countries like Turkey, China, and Iran are also producing affordable drones, reducing America's monopoly and reshaping warfare dynamics. U.S. efforts are focused on integrating AI, drone swarm technology, and hybrid drone systems to maintain military dominance. The democratization of drone technology raises issues, such as autonomous decision-making, counter-drone defenses, and dual-use concerns, that challenge ethical and security norms.[https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/04/20/americas-drone-advantage-at-risk-as-ukraine-aids-us-innovation/ America’s drone advantage at risk as Ukraine aids US innovation], Boyko Nikolov, bulgarianmilitiary.com, 20 April 2025

The Stargate Project is a joint venture announced in 2025 by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, U.S. President Donald Trump, Oracle Corporation, MGX, SoftBank Group, and other partners. The initiative aims to develop large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the United States, with a projected $500 billion investment by 2029. The project focuses on building advanced data centers, custom AI hardware, and sustainable energy systems, while also supporting research, workforce development, and national AI competitiveness. It is considered an effort to position the U.S. as a global leader in AI technology.{{Cite web |last=Wiggers |first=Kyle |date=2025-01-23 |title=OpenAI and SoftBank are reportedly putting $19B each into Stargate |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/23/openai-and-softbank-are-reportedly-putting-19b-each-into-stargate/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} The program has been compared to the Manhattan Project because of its large scale.{{Cite news |last=Ashworth-Hayes |first=Sam |date=2025-01-23 |title=America's $500bn Manhattan project is an effort to make humanity obsolete |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/23/america-stargate-project-effort-make-humanity-obselete/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124031702/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/23/america-stargate-project-effort-make-humanity-obselete/ |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-26 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

{{Further|Artificial intelligence industry in China}}

China is pursuing a strategic policy of military-civil fusion on AI for global technological supremacy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uscc.gov/hearings/technology-trade-and-military-civil-fusion-chinas-pursuit-artificial-intelligence-new|title=Technology, Trade, and Military-Civil Fusion: China's Pursuit of Artificial Intelligence, New Materials, and New Energy {{!}} U.S.- CHINA {{!}} ECONOMIC and SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION|website=www.uscc.gov|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=2020-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411174641/https://www.uscc.gov/hearings/technology-trade-and-military-civil-fusion-chinas-pursuit-artificial-intelligence-new|url-status=live}} According to a February 2019 report by Gregory C. Allen of the Center for a New American Security, China's leadership – including paramount leader Xi Jinping – believes that being at the forefront in AI technology is critical to the future of global military and economic power competition.{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Gregory |title=Understanding China's AI Strategy |url=https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/understanding-chinas-ai-strategy |website=Center for a New American Security |access-date=15 March 2019 |archive-date=17 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317004017/https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/understanding-chinas-ai-strategy |url-status=live }} Chinese military officials have said that their goal is to incorporate commercial AI technology to "narrow the gap between the Chinese military and global advanced powers." The close ties between Silicon Valley and China, and the open nature of the American research community, has made the West's most advanced AI technology easily available to China; in addition, Chinese industry has numerous home-grown AI accomplishments of its own, such as Baidu passing a notable Chinese-language speech recognition capability benchmark in 2015.{{cite news|last1=Markoff|first1=John|last2=Rosenberg|first2=Matthew|title=China's Intelligent Weaponry Gets Smarter|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/03/technology/artificial-intelligence-china-united-states.html|access-date=24 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=3 February 2017|archive-date=2 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102060846/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/03/technology/artificial-intelligence-china-united-states.html|url-status=live}} As of 2017, Beijing's roadmap aims to create a $150 billion AI industry by 2030.{{cite news|title=China seeks dominance of global AI industry|url=https://www.ft.com/content/856753d6-8d31-11e7-a352-e46f43c5825d|access-date=24 December 2017|work=Financial Times|date=15 October 2017|archive-date=19 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919090310/https://www.ft.com/content/856753d6-8d31-11e7-a352-e46f43c5825d|url-status=live}} Before 2013, Chinese defense procurement was mainly restricted to a few conglomerates; however, as of 2017, China often sources sensitive emerging technology such as drones and artificial intelligence from private start-up companies.{{cite news|title=China enlists start-ups in high-tech arms race|url=https://www.ft.com/content/5883d3d2-62cd-11e7-91a7-502f7ee26895|access-date=24 December 2017|work=Financial Times|date=9 July 2017|archive-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214142209/https://www.ft.com/content/5883d3d2-62cd-11e7-91a7-502f7ee26895|url-status=live}} An October 2021 report by the Center for Security and Emerging Technology found that "Most of the [Chinese military]'s AI equipment suppliers are not state-owned defense enterprises, but private Chinese tech companies founded after 2010."{{Cite web |last1=Fedasiuk |first1=Ryan |last2=Melot |first2=Jennifer |last3=Murphy |first3=Ben |date=October 2021 |title=Harnessed Lightning: How the Chinese Military is Adopting Artificial Intelligence |url=https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/harnessed-lightning/ |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=Center for Security and Emerging Technology |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421095441/https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/harnessed-lightning/ |url-status=live }} The report estimated that Chinese military spending on AI exceeded $1.6 billion each year. The Japan Times reported in 2018 that annual private Chinese investment in AI is under $7 billion per year. AI startups in China received nearly half of total global investment in AI startups in 2017; the Chinese filed for nearly five times as many AI patents as did Americans.{{cite news|title=The artificial intelligence race heats up|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2018/03/01/editorials/artificial-intelligence-race-heats/|access-date=5 March 2018|work=The Japan Times|date=1 March 2018|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103082631/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2018/03/01/editorials/artificial-intelligence-race-heats/|url-status=live}}

China published a position paper in 2016 questioning the adequacy of existing international law to address the eventuality of fully autonomous weapons, becoming the first permanent member of the U. N. Security Council to broach the issue.{{cite news|title=Robots with Guns: The Rise of Autonomous Weapons Systems|url=https://www.snopes.com/2017/04/21/robots-with-guns/|access-date=24 December 2017|work=Snopes.com|date=21 April 2017}} In 2018, Xi called for greater international cooperation in basic AI research.{{cite news |last1=Pecotic |first1=Adrian |title=Whoever Predicts the Future Will Win the AI Arms Race |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/05/whoever-predicts-the-future-correctly-will-win-the-ai-arms-race-russia-china-united-states-artificial-intelligence-defense/ |access-date=16 July 2019 |work=Foreign Policy |date=2019 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716051911/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/05/whoever-predicts-the-future-correctly-will-win-the-ai-arms-race-russia-china-united-states-artificial-intelligence-defense/ |url-status=live }} Chinese officials have expressed concern that AI such as drones could lead to accidental war, especially in the absence of international norms.{{cite news |last1=Vincent |first1=James |title=China is worried an AI arms race could lead to accidental war |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/6/18213476/china-us-ai-arms-race-artificial-intelligence-automated-warfare-military-conflict |access-date=16 July 2019 |work=The Verge |date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716051908/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/6/18213476/china-us-ai-arms-race-artificial-intelligence-automated-warfare-military-conflict |url-status=live }} In 2019, former United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper lashed out at China for selling drones capable of taking life with no human oversight.{{cite news |title=Is China exporting killer robots to Mideast? |url=https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/11/article/is-china-exporting-killer-robots-to-mideast/ |access-date=2019-12-21 |work=Asia Times |date=2019-11-28 |language=en |archive-date=2019-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221023648/https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/11/article/is-china-exporting-killer-robots-to-mideast/ |url-status=live }}

The focus on "intelligentized AI warfare", pursued by China, suggests a comprehensive integration of AI across all domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyber) for autonomous attack, defence and cognitive warfare."[https://www.iar-gwu.org/print-archive/blog-post-title-four-xgtap China’s Military Employment of Artificial Intelligence and Its Security Implications]", The International Affairs Review, Jiayu Zhang, 16 August 2020. The intelligentized strategy is distinct from traditional warfare, which focuses on network-centric operations, and instead sees AI as a force multiplier that enhances decision-making, command structures, and autonomous capabilities. Unlike traditional warfare, intelligentization leverages AI to create a cognitive advantage—allowing it to process battlefield information better. AI-assisted command-and-control (C2) systems, predictive analytics, and real-time data fusion, enabling accelerated human-AI hybrid decision-making.

Autonomous systems, including drone swarms, AI-powered cyber warfare, play a crucial role in this strategy.

China is reported to be currently developing wingman drones, robotic ground forces, and optimised logistics to enhance combat effectiveness."[https://warriormaven.com/china/china-performs-attack-training-with-robot-dogs-weapons-in-western-plateau China Performs Attack Training With Robot Dogs & Weapons in Western Plateau]", Jake Vartanian, Warrior Maven, 18 February 2025. The Chinese army (PLA)) also emphasises cognitive warfare using AI-driven psychological operations, social media manipulation, and predictive behavioural analysis to influence adversaries and the importance of dynamic responses where AI enhances hacking capabilities, automated SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) and adaptive tactics. However, despite this focus, some analysts believe China could be struggling to fully realise AI capability within the military environment: a "comprehensive review of dozens of Chinese-language journal articles about AI and warfare reveals that Chinese defense experts claim that Beijing is facing several technological challenges that may hinder its ability to capitalize on the advantages provided by military AI"[https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/chinas-military-ai-roadblocks/ China’s Military AI Roadblocks – PRC Perspectives on Technological Challenges to Intelligentized Warfare], Sam Bresnick, June 2024.

{{Further|Artificial intelligence in India}}

A task force for the Strategic Implementation of AI for National Security and Defence was established in February 2018 by the Ministry of Defense's Department of Defence Production.{{Cite web |last=Sarangi |first=Subhasish |title=National Initiatives on Artificial Intelligence in Defence |url=https://www.usiofindia.org/strategic-perspective/national-initiatives-on-artificial-intelligence-in-defence.html#_edn5 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=The United Service Institution of India}} The process of getting the military ready for AI use was started by the MoD in 2019.{{Cite news |date=2 January 2019 |title=Artificial Intelligence |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187044 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}} The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics was approved to develop AI solutions to improve intelligence collection and analysis capabilities.{{Cite web |last=Chauhan |first=Chanchal |date=2019-01-02 |title=Defence Ministry to prepare forces for use of Artificial Intelligence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/defence-ministry-forces-artificial-intelligence-1422245-2019-01-02 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=India Today |language=en}} In 2021, the Indian Army, with assistance from the National Security Council, began operating the Quantum Lab and Artificial Intelligence Center at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering. With an emphasis on robotics and artificial intelligence, Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian Institute of Science established the Joint Advanced Technology Programme-Center of Excellence.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-31 |title=Army sets up quantum computing lab, AI centre at engineering institute in Mhow |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/army-sets-up-quantum-computing-lab-ai-centre-at-engineering-institute-in-mhow-7697802/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=8 February 2021 |title=MoU between DRDO and IISc for Joint Advanced Technology Program |url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1696259 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}} In 2022, the Indian Navy created an AI Core group and set up a Center of Excellence for AI and Big Data analysis at INS Valsura.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=2022-01-28 |title=Indian Navy ropes in new-age tech with 30 Artificial Intelligence projects in the works |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/Jan/28/indian-navy-ropes-in-new-age-tech-with30-artificial-intelligence-projects-in-the-works-2412338.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bordoloi |first=Pritam |date=2022-07-25 |title=Indian Navy’s quest to become an AI-enabled force |url=https://analyticsindiamag.com/it-services/indian-navys-quest-to-become-an-ai-enabled-force/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Analytics India Magazine |language=en-US}} Indian Army incubated Artificial Intelligence Offensive Drone Operations Project.{{Cite news |date=15 January 2021 |title=Indian Army Demonstrates Drone Swarms During Army Day Parade |url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1688807 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}}{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Abhishek |date=2021-01-15 |title=Indian Army gets ready for 'swarm' drone attacks {{!}} Know all about the aerial warfare tactic |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-gets-ready-for-swarm-drone-attacks-1759493-2021-01-15 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=India Today |language=en}} During Exercise Dakshin Shakti 2021, the Indian Army integrated AI into its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance architecture.{{Cite news |date=26 November 2021 |title=ARMY CHIEF VISITS JAISALMER TO REVIEW EXERCISE DAKSHIN SHAKTI |url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1775333 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}}

In 2022, the Indian government established the Defence Artificial Intelligence Council and the Defence AI Project Agency,{{Cite web |date=1 August 2022 |title=Enhancement of Capabilities of AI Technology |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1846937 |access-date=23 January 2025 |website=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}}{{Cite news |date=2018-05-21 |title=India now wants artificial intelligence-based weapon systems |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-moves-to-develop-ai-based-military-systems/articleshow/64250232.cms |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} and it also published a list of 75 defense-related AI priority projects.{{Cite news |date=11 July 2022 |title=Raksha Mantri launches 75 Artificial Intelligence products/technologies during first-ever ‘AI in Defence’ symposium & exhibition in New Delhi |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1840740 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India}}{{Cite web |date=July 2022 |title=Artificial Intelligence In Defence |url=https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/publication/artificial-intelligence-defence |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=ddpmod.gov.in |agency=Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence}} MoD earmarked ₹1,000 crore annually till 2026 for capacity building, infrastructure setup, data preparation, and Al project implementation.{{Cite news |date=28 March 2022 |title=TASK FORCE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AI |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1810442 |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |pages= |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}} The Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force set aside ₹100 crore annually for the development of AI-specific applications.{{Cite web |last=Hooda (Retd.) |first=Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh |date=16 February 2023 |title=Implementing Artificial Intelligence in the Indian Military |url=https://www.delhipolicygroup.org/publication/policy-briefs/implementing-artificial-intelligence-in-the-indian-military.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Delhi Policy Group |language=en}} The military is already deploying some AI-enabled projects and equipment.{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Abhinandan |date=2022-07-16 |title=Indian Army gets future ready with AI-based equipment |url=https://sundayguardianlive.com/news/indian-army-gets-future-ready-ai-based-equipment |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=The Sunday Guardian Live |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=2024-12-30 |title=How the Indian Army is using AI to boost national security and defence capabilities |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-ais-role-in-national-security-enhancing-defence-and-intelligence-capabilities-3703077/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}} At Air Force Station Rajokri, the IAF Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence was established in 2022 as part of the Unit for Digitization, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, and Application Networking (UDAAN).{{Cite news |date=10 July 2022 |title=Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (Coe) launched by IAF |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1840695 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}} Swarm drone systems were introduced by the Mechanised Infantry Regiment for offensive operations close to the Line of Actual Control.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Rahul |date=2022-08-26 |title=Army receives swarm drones, eyes light tanks to check PLA |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-receives-swarm-drones-eyes-light-tanks-to-check-pla-101661537524265.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221204215650/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-receives-swarm-drones-eyes-light-tanks-to-check-pla-101661537524265.html |archive-date=2022-12-04 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us}}

For offensive operations, the military began acquiring AI-enabled UAVs and swarm drones.{{Cite web |last=Sur |first=Aihik |date=2021-06-28 |title=Exclusive: Indian Army acquiring AI-equipped drones for attack operations |url=https://www.medianama.com/2021/06/223-indian-army-drones-attack-2/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=MEDIANAMA |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kadidal |first=Akhil |date=2023-03-06 |title=Indian Army receives ‘swarming' UAVs |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/indian-army-receives-swarming-uavs |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Janes |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2023-02-13 |title=Army gets its first set of offensive swarm drone system, IAF next |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-gets-its-first-set-of-offensive-swarm-drone-system-iaf-next/1368508/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}} Bharat Electronics developed AI-enabled audio transcription and analysis software for battlefield communication. Using AI during transport operations, the Indian Army's Research & Development branch patented driver tiredness monitoring system.{{Cite web |last=N.D. |first=Vivek |date=1 October 2024 |title=AI and Indian Defense: Enhancing National Security Through Innovation |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/10/ai-and-indian-defense-enhancing-national-security-through-innovation/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Naaz |first=Fareha |date=10 August 2023 |title=Indian Army secures patent for AI-driven accident prevention system, ‘alerts drivers from falling asleep’ |url=https://www.livemint.com/ai/indian-army-secures-patent-for-ai-driven-accident-prevention-system-alerts-drivers-from-falling-asleep-11691637234217.html |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Mint}} As part of initial investment, the Indian Armed Forces is investing about $50 million (€47.2 million) yearly on AI, according to Delhi Policy Group.{{Cite web |last=Krishnan |first=Murali |date=18 October 2023 |title=Indian army ramps up AI, but how effective will it be? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/indian-army-ramps-up-ai-but-how-effective-will-it-be/a-67134664 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=dw.com |language=en}} For high altitude logistics at forward outposts, military robots are deployed.{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2024-09-23 |title=Army inducts robotic mules; drones, high-altitude tents under evaluation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-inducts-robotic-mules-drones-high-altitude-tents-under-evaluation/article68675123.ece |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=Basu |first=Ajeyo |date=2023-04-05 |title=Indian Army to replace mules with robots to take on China at LAC by 2030 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/indian-army-to-replace-mules-with-robots-to-take-on-china-at-lac-by-2030-12410522.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}} Army is developing autonomous combat vehicles, robotic surveillance platforms, and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) solutions as part of the Defence AI roadmap.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Priya |date=2024-03-11 |title=Indian Army working on AI, autonomous combat vehicles, robotic surveillance platforms, more: Report |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/indian-army-working-on-ai-autonomous-combat-vehicles-robotic-surveillance-platforms-more-report-420964-2024-03-11 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Business Today |language=en}} MCTE is working with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and, Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research, on AI and military-grade chipset.{{Cite news |date=22 June 2024 |title=SAMEER, MeitY and MCTE, Indian Army forge strategic partnership for technological advancement |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2028008 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.}}{{Cite news |date=2023-12-07 |title=Indian Army and MeitY unite forces for technological defence overhaul |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-army-and-meity-unite-forces-for-technological-defence-overhaul/articleshow/105801908.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} Phase III of AI-enabled space-based surveillance has been authorized.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Surendra |date=2024-10-12 |title=CCS 'approves launch of 52 spy satellites for Rs 27,000 crore to boost space surveillance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ccs-approves-launch-of-52-spy-satellites-for-rs-27000-crore-to-boost-space-surveillance/articleshow/114158442.cms |access-date=2025-01-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |last=Haider |first=Usman |date=22 January 2025 |title=India’s New Space-Based Spy Network |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/indias-new-space-based-spy-network/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}

DRDO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Defense Research & Development Samir V. Kamat said the agency started concentrating on the potential use of AI in the development of military systems and subsystems.{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Lt Col Anil |date=2024-12-12 |title=INDIA'S DRDO WORKING ON MULTIPLE CUTTING-EDGE MILITARY TECHNOLOGY AREAS |url=https://salute.co.in/indias-drdo-working-on-multiple-cutting-edge-military-technology-areas/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Salute |language=en-US}} The Indian government intends to leverage the private sector's sizable AI workforce and dual-use technologies for defense by 2026.{{Cite web |last=Levesques |first=Antoine |date=18 January 2024 |title=Early steps in India’s use of AI for defence |url=https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2024/01/early-steps-in-indias-use-of-ai-for-defence/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=International Institute for Strategic Studies |language=en}} In order to conduct research on autonomous platforms, improved surveillance, predictive maintenance, and intelligent decision support system, the Indian Army AI Incubation Center was established.{{Cite web |last=Pandey |first=Mohit |date=2024-12-19 |title=Indian Army Collaborates with BEL to Launch AI Incubation Centre in Bengaluru |url=https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-news-updates/indian-army-collaborates-with-bel-to-launch-ai-incubation-centre-in-bengaluru/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Analytics India Magazine |language=en-US}} Indian Navy launched INS Surat with AI capabilities.{{Cite news |date=2024-12-20 |title=YARD 12707 (SURAT) AND YARD 12651 (NILGIRI) DELIVERED TO INDIAN NAVY |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086668 |access-date=2024-12-21 |work=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Defence, Government of India.}}{{Cite web |last=Mukherji |first=Biman |date=2025-01-23 |title=India’s bet on AI-enabled warships needs boost to counter China, experts say |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3296024/indias-bet-ai-enabled-warships-needs-boost-counter-china-experts-say |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

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Russian General Viktor Bondarev, commander-in-chief of the Russian air force, stated that as early as February 2017, Russia was working on AI-guided missiles that could decide to switch targets mid-flight.{{cite news|title=Russia is building a missile that can makes its own decisions|url=http://www.newsweek.com/russia-military-challenge-us-china-missile-own-decisions-639926|access-date=24 December 2017|work=Newsweek|date=20 July 2017|language=en|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230204517/https://www.newsweek.com/russia-military-challenge-us-china-missile-own-decisions-639926|url-status=live}} The Military-Industrial Commission of Russia has approved plans to derive 30 percent of Russia's combat power from remote controlled and AI-enabled robotic platforms by 2030.{{cite news |last1=Walters |first1=Greg |title=Artificial Intelligence Is Poised to Revolutionize Warfare |url=https://www.seeker.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-is-poised-to-revolutionize-warfare |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=Seeker |date=7 September 2017 |language=en |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007221932/https://www.seeker.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-is-poised-to-revolutionize-warfare |url-status=live }} Reports by state-sponsored Russian media on potential military uses of AI increased in mid-2017.{{cite news|title=Why Elon Musk is right about the threat posed by Russian artificial intelligence|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/elon-musk-ai-artificial-intelligence-world-war-three-russia-china-robots-cyber-warfare-replicants-a7931981.html|access-date=24 December 2017|work=The Independent|date=6 September 2017|archive-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425115127/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/elon-musk-ai-artificial-intelligence-world-war-three-russia-china-robots-cyber-warfare-replicants-a7931981.html|url-status=live}} In May 2017, the CEO of Russia's Kronstadt Group, a defense contractor, stated that "there already exist completely autonomous AI operation systems that provide the means for UAV clusters, when they fulfill missions autonomously, sharing tasks between them, and interact", and that it is inevitable that "swarms of drones" will one day fly over combat zones.{{cite news|title=Russia is developing autonomous "swarms of drones" it calls an inevitable part of future warfare|url=http://www.newsweek.com/drones-swarm-autonomous-russia-robots-609399|access-date=24 December 2017|work=Newsweek|date=15 May 2017|language=en|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603040310/https://www.newsweek.com/drones-swarm-autonomous-russia-robots-609399|url-status=live}} Russia has been testing several autonomous and semi-autonomous combat systems, such as Kalashnikov's "neural net" combat module, with a machine gun, a camera, and an AI that its makers claim can make its own targeting judgements without human intervention.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Mark|title=Is 'killer robot' warfare closer than we think?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-41035201|access-date=24 December 2017|work=BBC News|date=25 August 2017|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224154138/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-41035201|url-status=live}}

In September 2017, during a National Knowledge Day address to over a million students in 16,000 Russian schools, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated "Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia but for all humankind... Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world". Putin also said it would be better to prevent any single actor achieving a monopoly, but that if Russia became the leader in AI, they would share their "technology with the rest of the world, like we are doing now with atomic and nuclear technology".{{cite news|title=Artificial Intelligence Fuels New Global Arms Race|url=https://www.wired.com/story/for-superpowers-artificial-intelligence-fuels-new-global-arms-race/|access-date=24 December 2017|magazine=WIRED|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024041921/https://www.wired.com/story/for-superpowers-artificial-intelligence-fuels-new-global-arms-race/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Clifford|first1=Catherine|title=In the same way there was a nuclear arms race, there will be a race to build A.I., says tech exec|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/28/hootsuite-ceo-next-version-of-arms-race-will-be-a-race-to-build-ai.html|access-date=24 December 2017|work=CNBC|date=29 September 2017|archive-date=15 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815030429/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/28/hootsuite-ceo-next-version-of-arms-race-will-be-a-race-to-build-ai.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news

|url= https://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/01/world/putin-artificial-intelligence-will-rule-world/index.html

|title= Who Vladimir Putin thinks will rule the world

|work= CNN

|author= Radina Gigova

|date= 2 September 2017

|access-date= 22 March 2020

|archive-date= 10 January 2022

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220110023032/https://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/01/world/putin-artificial-intelligence-will-rule-world/index.html

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Russia is establishing a number of organizations devoted to the development of military AI. In March 2018, the Russian government released a 10-point AI agenda, which calls for the establishment of an AI and Big Data consortium, a Fund for Analytical Algorithms and Programs, a state-backed AI training and education program, a dedicated AI lab, and a National Center for Artificial Intelligence, among other initiatives.{{Cite web|title=Here's How the Russian Military Is Organizing to Develop AI|url=https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2018/07/russian-militarys-ai-development-roadmap/149900/|website=Defense One|date=20 July 2018|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626081525/https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2018/07/russian-militarys-ai-development-roadmap/149900/|url-status=live}} In addition, Russia recently created a defense research organization, roughly equivalent to DARPA, dedicated to autonomy and robotics called the Foundation for Advanced Studies, and initiated an annual conference on "Robotization of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation."{{Cite web|title=Red Robots Rising: Behind the Rapid Development of Russian Unmanned Military Systems|url=https://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2017/12/12/red-robots-rising-behind-the-rapid-development-of-russian-unmanned-military-systems|website=The Strategy Bridge|date=12 December 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812180120/https://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2017/12/12/red-robots-rising-behind-the-rapid-development-of-russian-unmanned-military-systems|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|publisher=Congressional Research Service|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R45178.pdf|title=Artificial Intelligence and National Security|year=2019|location=Washington, DC|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508062631/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R45178.pdf|url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}

The Russian military has been researching a number of AI applications, with a heavy emphasis on semiautonomous and autonomous vehicles. In an official statement on November 1, 2017, Viktor Bondarev, chairman of the Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee, stated that "artificial intelligence will be able to replace a soldier on the battlefield and a pilot in an aircraft cockpit" and later noted that "the day is nearing when vehicles will get artificial intelligence."{{Cite web|title=Should the U.S. Army Fear Russia's Killer Robots?|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/should-the-us-army-fear-russias-killer-robots-23098|last=Bendett|first=Samuel|date=2017-11-08|website=The National Interest|language=en|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032950/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/should-the-us-army-fear-russias-killer-robots-23098|url-status=live}} Bondarev made these remarks in close proximity to the successful test of Nerehta, an crewless Russian ground vehicle that reportedly "outperformed existing [crewed] combat vehicles." Russia plans to use Nerehta as a research and development platform for AI and may one day deploy the system in combat, intelligence gathering, or logistics roles.{{Cite web|title=Russia Says It Will Field a Robot Tank that Outperforms Humans|url=https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2017/11/russia-robot-tank-outperforms-humans/142376/|website=Defense One|date=8 November 2017|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829155824/https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2017/11/russia-robot-tank-outperforms-humans/142376/|url-status=live}} Russia has also reportedly built a combat module for crewless ground vehicles that is capable of autonomous target identification—and, potentially, target engagement—and plans to develop a suite of AI-enabled autonomous systems.{{Cite web|title=Russia is developing AI missiles to dominate the new arms race|url=https://thenextweb.com/artificial-intelligence/2017/07/27/russia-is-developing-ai-missiles-to-dominate-the-new-arms-race/|last=Greene|first=Tristan|date=2017-07-27|website=The Next Web|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921010051/https://thenextweb.com/artificial-intelligence/2017/07/27/russia-is-developing-ai-missiles-to-dominate-the-new-arms-race/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Kalashnikov Will Make an A.I.-Powered Killer Robot|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/news/a27393/kalashnikov-to-make-ai-directed-machine-guns/|last=Mizokami|first=Kyle|date=2017-07-19|website=Popular Mechanics|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802104918/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/news/a27393/kalashnikov-to-make-ai-directed-machine-guns/|url-status=live}}

In addition, the Russian military plans to incorporate AI into crewless aerial, naval, and undersea vehicles and is currently developing swarming capabilities. It is also exploring innovative uses of AI for remote sensing and electronic warfare, including adaptive frequency hopping, waveforms, and countermeasures.{{Cite web|title=Russia Tries to Get Smart about Artificial Intelligence|url=https://wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/living-with-artificial-intelligence/russia-tries-to-get-smart-about-artificial-intelligence/|last1=Dougherty|first1=Jill|last2=Jay|first2=Molly|website=Wilson Quarterly|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725095224/https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/living-with-artificial-intelligence/russia-tries-to-get-smart-about-artificial-intelligence/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Russian AI-Enabled Combat: Coming to a City Near You?|url=https://warontherocks.com/2019/07/russian-ai-enabled-combat-coming-to-a-city-near-you/|date=2019-07-31|website=War on the Rocks|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606043416/https://warontherocks.com/2019/07/russian-ai-enabled-combat-coming-to-a-city-near-you/|url-status=live}} Russia has also made extensive use of AI technologies for domestic propaganda and surveillance, as well as for information operations directed against the United States and U.S. allies.{{Cite web|title=Weapons of the weak: Russia and AI-driven asymmetric warfare|url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/weapons-of-the-weak-russia-and-ai-driven-asymmetric-warfare/|last=Polyakova|first=Alina|date=2018-11-15|website=Brookings|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2019-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406142624/https://www.brookings.edu/research/weapons-of-the-weak-russia-and-ai-driven-asymmetric-warfare/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Disinformation Wars|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/05/25/disinformation-wars/|last=Polyakova|first=Chris Meserole, Alina|website=Foreign Policy|date=25 May 2018|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=2020-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308165534/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/05/25/disinformation-wars/|url-status=live}}

The Russian government has strongly rejected any ban on lethal autonomous weapon systems, suggesting that such an international ban could be ignored.{{cite news|title=Russia rejects potential UN 'killer robots' ban, official statement says|url=https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2017/12/russia-rejects-potential-un-killer-robots-ban-official-statement-says/|access-date=12 January 2018|work=Institution of Engineering and Technology|date=1 December 2017|archive-date=4 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104081025/https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2017/12/russia-rejects-potential-un-killer-robots-ban-official-statement-says/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Examination of various dimensions of emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems, Russian Federation, November 2017|url=https://admin.govexec.com/media/russia.pdf|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-date=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819191146/https://admin.govexec.com/media/russia.pdf|url-status=live}}

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing Russia-Ukraine war has seen seen significant use of AI by both sides and has also been characterised as a drone war.[https://compossible.blog/2025/04/01/the-ai-arms-race-attack-of-the-drones/ "The AI Arms-Race & Attack Of The Drones"], 01 April 2025, Compossible Blog.

Advances in AI-powered GPS-denied navigation and drone swarming techniques are significantly improving operational capabilities for Ukraine. Fully realised drone swarms, where multiple drones coordinate and make decisions autonomously, are still in the early stages of experimentation but Ukraine is exploring and implementing these techniques in a real conflict situation.[https://www.techpolicy.press/military-ai-lessons-from-ukraine/ "Military AI: Lessons from Ukraine"], Gulsanna Mamediieva, 20 March 2025, Tech Policy Press. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has been at the forefront of utilizing drones with some elements of autonomy for conducting long-range strikes into Russian territory. Domestic drone production has significantly expanded, with approximately 2 million drones produced in 2024, 96.2% of which were domestically manufactured.[https://www.csis.org/analysis/understanding-military-ai-ecosystem-ukraine/ "Understanding the Military AI Ecosystem of Ukraine"], Kateryna Bondar, 12 November 2024, CSIS.

Rather than replacing human involvement, AI is primarily serving to augment existing capabilities, enhancing the speed, accuracy, and overall efficiency of numerous military functions.

Perhaps the most important way in which AI has been used by Ukraine is in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Ukrainian military uses Palantir’s MetaConstellation software to monitor the movement of Russian troops and supplies (highlighting the blurring of boundaries between state military and commercial AI use). It aggregates data from various commercial civilian providers of satellite imagery Ukraine also uses its own Delta system which aggregates real time data from drone imagery, satellite photos, acoustic signals, and text to construct an operational picture for military commanders. AI is used to prioritise incoming threats, potential targets and resource constraints. [https://www.csis.org/analysis/ukraines-future-vision-and-current-capabilities-waging-ai-enabled-autonomous-warfare/ "Ukraine’s Future Vision and Current Capabilities for Waging AI-Enabled Autonomous Warfare"], Kateryna Bondar, 06 March 2025, CSIS.

AI is also being used to process intercepted communications from Russian soldiers, to process, select, and output militarily useful information from these intercepted calls.

Israel makes extensive use of AI for military applications specially during the Gaza war. The main AI systems used for target identification are the Gospel and Lavender. Lavender developed by the Unit 8200 identifies and creates a database of individuals mostly low-ranking militants of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and has a 90% accuracy rate and a database of tens of thousands. The Gospel in comparisons recommended buildings and structures rather than individuals. The acceptable collateral damage and the type of weapon used to eliminate the target is decided by IDF members and could track militants even when at home. {{cite news |last1=McKernan |first1=Bethan |last2=Davies |first2=Harry |title='The machine did it coldly': Israel used AI to identify 37,000 Hamas targets |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/03/israel-gaza-ai-database-hamas-airstrikes |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=3 April 2024}}

Israel's Harpy anti-radar "fire and forget" drone is designed to be launched by ground troops, and autonomously fly over an area to find and destroy radar that fits pre-determined criteria.{{cite news|title='Killer robots': autonomous weapons pose moral dilemma {{!}} World{{!}} Breakings news and perspectives from around the globe {{!}} DW {{!}} 14.11.2017|url=http://www.dw.com/en/killer-robots-autonomous-weapons-pose-moral-dilemma/a-41342616|access-date=12 January 2018|work=DW.COM|date=14 November 2017|language=en|archive-date=11 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711143801/https://www.dw.com/en/killer-robots-autonomous-weapons-pose-moral-dilemma/a-41342616|url-status=live}} The application of artificial intelligence is also expected to be advanced in crewless ground systems and robotic vehicles such as the Guardium MK III and later versions.{{Cite journal|last=Slocombe|first=Geoff|date=2015|title=Uninhabited Ground Systems (Ugs)|journal=Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter|volume=41|issue=7|pages=28–29}} These robotic vehicles are used in border defense.

In 2015, the UK government opposed a ban on lethal autonomous weapons, stating that "international humanitarian law already provides sufficient regulation for this area", but that all weapons employed by UK armed forces would be "under human oversight and control".{{cite news|last1=Gibbs|first1=Samuel|title=Elon Musk leads 116 experts calling for outright ban of killer robots|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/20/elon-musk-killer-robots-experts-outright-ban-lethal-autonomous-weapons-war|access-date=24 December 2017|work=The Guardian|date=20 August 2017|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230221931/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/20/elon-musk-killer-robots-experts-outright-ban-lethal-autonomous-weapons-war|url-status=live}}

The South Korean Super aEgis II machine gun, unveiled in 2010, sees use both in South Korea and in the Middle East. It can identify, track, and destroy a moving target at a range of 4 km. While the technology can theoretically operate without human intervention, in practice safeguards are installed to require manual input. A South Korean manufacturer states, "Our weapons don't sleep, like humans must. They can see in the dark, like humans can't. Our technology therefore plugs the gaps in human capability", and they want to "get to a place where our software can discern whether a target is friend, foe, civilian or military".{{cite news|last1=Parkin|first1=Simon|title=Killer robots: The soldiers that never sleep|url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150715-killer-robots-the-soldiers-that-never-sleep|access-date=13 January 2018|work=BBC|date=16 July 2015|archive-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804145915/http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150715-killer-robots-the-soldiers-that-never-sleep|url-status=live}}

Saudi Arabia entered the AI race relatively late, beginning in the early 2020s. The country announced its Vision 2030 initiative—a multi-trillion dollar plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy—under the leadership of the Public Investment Fund (PIF). A key turning point in U.S.-Saudi relations came during President Donald Trump’s first foreign trip in 2017, when he visited Riyadh and signed hundreds of billions of dollars in agreements spanning defense, energy, and technology. This visit laid the groundwork for deeper U.S.-Saudi cooperation in areas like AI and tech infrastructure. In the years that followed, Saudi Arabia formed major partnerships with U.S. firms like NVIDIA, AMD, and Cisco, investing billions in semiconductors, cloud computing, and AI research.{{Cite web |title=Realigning US-Saudi relations for the AI era |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/realigning-us-saudi-relations-ai-era |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}} Saudi-backed startup AI Humaine also partnered with several American firms, further strengthening the Kingdom’s ties with Silicon Valley as it pushed to become a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2030.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-14 |title=Nvidia, AMD ink Saudi AI deals as US eases export curbs |url=https://www.capacitymedia.com/article/nvidia-amd-ink-saudi-ai-deals-as-us-eases-export-curbs |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Capacity Media |language=en}}

The United Arab Emirates has been expanding its role in artificial intelligence and technology through investments in infrastructure and partnerships. One major initiative is MGX, a UAE-backed technology group focused on AI development. In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump visited the UAE, where he met with Emirati officials and business leaders. The visit included discussions on technology and economic cooperation, including potential collaborations with U.S. companies such as Oracle, NVIDIA, and Cisco.{{Cite web |title=US and UAE collaborate on AI megaproject to boost regional innovation |url=https://www.cio.com/article/3988031/us-and-uae-collaborate-on-ai-megaproject-to-boost-regional-innovation.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=CIO |language=en}} These talks focused on areas like data centers, AI hardware, and advanced computing, reflecting ongoing efforts by the UAE to strengthen its technological capabilities through international partnerships. NVIDIA, OpenAI, and Cisco have announced plans to collaborate on building one of the world’s largest data centers in the United Arab Emirates. The project is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to become a global technology and AI hub. The data center will support advanced cloud computing, AI model training, and data storage capabilities.{{Cite web |last=Partsinevelos |first=Kristina |last2=CNBC |last3=Eudaily |first3=Chris |last4=Cnbc • • |date=2025-05-16 |title=Nvidia, Cisco, Oracle and OpenAI are backing the UAE Stargate data center project |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/nvidia-cisco-and-openai-are-backing-the-uae-stargate-data-center-project/3747721/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=NBC Chicago |language=en-US}}

The European Parliament holds the position that humans must have oversight and decision-making power over lethal autonomous weapons.{{Cite web|title=Texts adopted - Autonomous weapon systems - Wednesday, 12 September 2018|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2018-0341_EN.html|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.europarl.europa.eu|language=en|archive-date=2021-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126215219/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2018-0341_EN.html|url-status=live}} However, it is up to each member state of the European Union to determine their stance on the use of autonomous weapons and the mixed stances of the member states is perhaps the greatest hindrance to the European Union's ability to develop autonomous weapons. Some members such as France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden are developing lethal autonomous weapons. Some members remain undecided about the use of autonomous military weapons and Austria has even called to ban the use of such weapons.{{Cite journal|last1=Haner|first1=Justin|last2=Garcia|first2=Denise|date=2019|title=The Artificial Intelligence Arms Race: Trends and World Leaders in Autonomous Weapons Development|journal=Global Policy|language=en|volume=10|issue=3|pages=331–337|doi=10.1111/1758-5899.12713|issn=1758-5899|doi-access=free}}

Some EU member states have developed and are developing automated weapons. Germany has developed an active protection system, the Active Defense System, that can respond to a threat with complete autonomy in less than a millisecond.{{Cite book|last1=Boulanin|first1=Vincent|title=Mapping the development of autonomy in weapon systems|last2=Verbruggen|first2=Maaike|date=2017|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|isbn=|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/siprireport_mapping_the_development_of_autonomy_in_weapon_systems_1117_1.pdf|language=en|doi=10.13140/rg.2.2.22719.41127|access-date=2021-01-30|archive-date=2021-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117151544/https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/siprireport_mapping_the_development_of_autonomy_in_weapon_systems_1117_1.pdf|url-status=live}} Italy plans to incorporate autonomous weapons systems into its future military plans.

The international regulation of autonomous weapons is an emerging issue for international law.{{Cite journal|url=https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/33813394|title=No Mere Deodands: Human Responsibilities in the Use of Violent Intelligent Systems Under Public International Law|last=Bento|first=Lucas|date=2017|website=Harvard Scholarship Depository|access-date=2019-09-14|archive-date=2020-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323111054/https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/33813394|url-status=live}} AI arms control will likely require the institutionalization of new international norms embodied in effective technical specifications combined with active monitoring and informal diplomacy by communities of experts, together with a legal and political verification process. As early as 2007, scholars such as AI professor Noel Sharkey have warned of "an emerging arms race among the hi-tech nations to develop autonomous submarines, fighter jets, battleships and tanks that can find their own targets and apply violent force without the involvement of meaningful human decisions".{{cite news|title=Ban on killer robots urgently needed, say scientists|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/13/ban-on-killer-robots-urgently-needed-say-scientists|access-date=24 December 2017|work=The Guardian|date=13 November 2017|first=Ian|last=Sample|archive-date=24 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224004723/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/13/ban-on-killer-robots-urgently-needed-say-scientists|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Sharkey|first1=Noel|title=Robot wars are a reality|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/aug/18/comment.military|access-date=11 January 2018|work=The Guardian|date=17 August 2007|archive-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106184829/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/aug/18/comment.military|url-status=live}}

Miles Brundage of the University of Oxford has argued an AI arms race might be somewhat mitigated through diplomacy: "We saw in the various historical arms races that collaboration and dialog can pay dividends".{{cite news|title=AI Could Revolutionize War as Much as Nukes|url=https://www.wired.com/story/ai-could-revolutionize-war-as-much-as-nukes/|access-date=24 December 2017|magazine=Wired|date=July 19, 2017|first=Tom|last=Simonite|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125103326/https://www.wired.com/story/ai-could-revolutionize-war-as-much-as-nukes/|url-status=live}} Over a hundred experts signed an open letter in 2017 calling on the UN to address the issue of lethal autonomous weapons;{{cite news|last1=Gibbs|first1=Samuel|title=Elon Musk leads 116 experts calling for outright ban of killer robots|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/20/elon-musk-killer-robots-experts-outright-ban-lethal-autonomous-weapons-war|access-date=11 January 2018|work=The Guardian|date=20 August 2017|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230221931/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/20/elon-musk-killer-robots-experts-outright-ban-lethal-autonomous-weapons-war|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=An Open Letter to the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons|url=https://futureoflife.org/autonomous-weapons-open-letter-2017/|website=Future of Life Institute|access-date=14 January 2018|date=August 20, 2017|first=Ariel|last=Conn|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206163351/https://futureoflife.org/autonomous-weapons-open-letter-2017/|url-status=live}} however, at a November 2017 session of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), diplomats could not agree even on how to define such weapons.{{cite news|title=Rise of the killer machines|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/rise-killer-machines/|date=24 November 2017|access-date=24 December 2017|work=Asia Times |first=Alan |last=Boyd}} The Indian ambassador and chair of the CCW stated that agreement on rules remained a distant prospect.{{cite news|title='Robots are not taking over,' says head of UN body on autonomous weapons|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/17/killer-robots-un-convention-on-conventional-weapons|access-date=14 January 2018|work=The Guardian|date=17 November 2017|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205172714/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/17/killer-robots-un-convention-on-conventional-weapons|url-status=live}} As of 2019, 26 heads of state and 21 Nobel Peace Prize laureates have backed a ban on autonomous weapons.{{cite news |title=Campaign to stop 'killer robots' takes peace mascot to UN |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/21/campaign-to-stop-killer-robots-takes-peace-mascot-to-un |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=21 October 2019 |first=Henry |last=McDonald |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118115641/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/21/campaign-to-stop-killer-robots-takes-peace-mascot-to-un |url-status=live }} However, as of 2022, most major powers continue to oppose a ban on autonomous weapons.{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Jeremy |title=The world just blew a 'historic opportunity' to stop killer robots |url=https://fortune.com/2021/12/22/killer-robots-ban-fails-un-artificial-intelligence-laws/ |access-date=31 December 2021 |work=Fortune |date=2021 |language=en |quote=Several states, including the U.S., Russia, the United Kingdom, India, and Israel, were opposed to any legally binding restrictions... China has supported a binding legal agreement at the CCW, but has also sought to define autonomous weapons so narrowly that much of the A.I.-enabled military equipment it is currently developing would fall outside the scope of such a ban. |archive-date=31 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231035345/https://fortune.com/2021/12/22/killer-robots-ban-fails-un-artificial-intelligence-laws/ |url-status=live }}

Many experts believe attempts to completely ban killer robots are likely to fail,{{cite news|title=Sorry, Banning 'Killer Robots' Just Isn't Practical|url=https://www.wired.com/story/sorry-banning-killer-robots-just-isnt-practical/|access-date=14 January 2018|magazine=Wired|date=22 August 2017|first=Tom|last=Simonite|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723171520/https://www.wired.com/story/sorry-banning-killer-robots-just-isnt-practical/|url-status=live}} in part because detecting treaty violations would be extremely difficult.Antebi, Liran. "Who Will Stop the Robots?." Military and Strategic Affairs 5.2 (2013).Shulman, C., & Armstrong, S. (2009, July). Arms control and intelligence explosions. In 7th European Conference on Computing and Philosophy (ECAP), Bellaterra, Spain, July (pp. 2-4). A 2017 report from Harvard's Belfer Center predicts that AI has the potential to be as transformative as nuclear weapons.{{cite news|last1=McFarland|first1=Matt|title='Slaughterbots' film shows potential horrors of killer drones|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/14/technology/autonomous-weapons-ban-ai/index.html|access-date=14 January 2018|work=CNNMoney|date=14 November 2017|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915093156/https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/14/technology/autonomous-weapons-ban-ai/index.html|url-status=live}}Allen, Greg, and Taniel Chan. "Artificial Intelligence and National Security." Report. Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University. Boston, MA (2017). The report further argues that "Preventing expanded military use of AI is likely impossible" and that "the more modest goal of safe and effective technology management must be pursued", such as banning the attaching of an AI dead man's switch to a nuclear arsenal.

A 2015 open letter by the Future of Life Institute calling for the prohibition of lethal autonomous weapons systems has been signed by over 26,000 citizens, including physicist Stephen Hawking, Tesla magnate Elon Musk, Apple's Steve Wozniak and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, and over 4,600 artificial intelligence researchers, including Stuart Russell, Bart Selman and Francesca Rossi.{{Cite web|date=2016-02-09|title=Autonomous Weapons Open Letter: AI & Robotics Researchers|url=https://futureoflife.org/2016/02/09/open-letter-autonomous-weapons-ai-robotics/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Future of Life Institute|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525150518/https://futureoflife.org/2016/02/09/open-letter-autonomous-weapons-ai-robotics/|url-status=live}} The Future of Life Institute has also released two fictional films, Slaughterbots (2017) and Slaughterbots - if human: kill() (2021), which portray threats of autonomous weapons and promote a ban, both of which went viral.

Professor Noel Sharkey of the University of Sheffield argues that autonomous weapons will inevitably fall into the hands of terrorist groups such as the Islamic State.{{cite news|last1=Wheeler|first1=Brian|title=Terrorists 'certain' to get killer robots|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-42153140|access-date=24 December 2017|work=BBC News|date=30 November 2017|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915100029/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-42153140|url-status=live}}

Many Western tech companies avoid being associated too closely with the U.S. military, for fear of losing access to China's market. Furthermore, some researchers, such as DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, are ideologically opposed to contributing to military work.{{cite news|last1=Metz|first1=Cade|title=Pentagon Wants Silicon Valley's Help on A.I.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/technology/military-artificial-intelligence.html|access-date=19 March 2018|work=The New York Times|date=15 March 2018|archive-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319152929/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/technology/military-artificial-intelligence.html|url-status=live}}

For example, in June 2018, company sources at Google said that top executive Diane Greene told staff that the company would not follow-up Project Maven after the current contract expired in March 2019.

• AI alignment
• AI slop
• A.I. Rising
• Artificial intelligence detection software
• Cold War
• Deterrence theory
• Ethics of artificial intelligence
• Existential risk from artificial general intelligence
• Nuclear arms race
• Post–Cold War era
• Second Cold War
• Space Race
• Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
• Weak AI

{{Reflist}}

• Paul Scharre, "Killer Apps: The Real Dangers of an AI Arms Race", Foreign Affairs, vol. 98, no. 3 (May/June 2019), pp. 135–44. "Today's AI technologies are powerful but unreliable. Rules-based systems cannot deal with circumstances their programmers did not anticipate. Learning systems are limited by the data on which they were trained. AI failures have already led to tragedy. Advanced autopilot features in cars, although they perform well in some circumstances, have driven cars without warning into trucks, concrete barriers, and parked cars. In the wrong situation, AI systems go from supersmart to superdumb in an instant. When an enemy is trying to manipulate and hack an AI system, the risks are even greater." (p. 140.)
• The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. (2019). [https://drive.google.com/a/nscai.org/file/d/153OrxnuGEjsUvlxWsFYauslwNeCEkvUb/view?usp=sharing Interim Report]. Washington, DC: Author.
• {{cite journal |last1=Dresp-Langley |first1=Birgitta |title=The weaponization of artificial intelligence: What the public needs to be aware of |journal=Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence |date=2023 |volume=6 |doi=10.3389/frai.2023.1154184 |pmid=36967833 |doi-access=free |pmc=10030838}}

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