Human-Machine Teaming

AI is making its way into military operations and warfighters will increasingly co-exist with machines with progressively more advanced autonomous capabilities. As machines make the jump from simple tools to cooperative teammates, human-machine teaming will be at the center of warfare. Understanding how to ensure trust between humans and machines is critical.

Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli, Head, Global and Emerging Security Risk, Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Switzerland

Federico Mantellassi, Research and Project Officer, Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Switzerland

AI is a formidable enabler but its potential remains far from realized. There is a growing role in using AI for improving the air force’s planning and decision-making processes at the different levels of warfare, if the inherent limitations and constraints of this technology can be appropriately managed. Allowing for as much data as possible to be exploited will be key to expanding AI adoption.

Jean-Christophe Noël, Research Associate, French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) and Editor-in-Chief, Vortex

Information and data-sharing networks are shifting linear decision-making in warfighting to a web of actionable outcomes that can deny, deter, and defeat adversaries. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe are all attempting to create a dynamic and adaptive matrix of capabilities to enable real-time, actionable, and predictive analytics for decision-making and C2.

Anika Torruella, Senior Analyst, Janes, United States

AI has well-known problems in that it can be fooled, cannot transfer knowledge gained in one task to another, and is entirely reliant on data for its performance. Although AI will significantly change decision-making in air warfare, not all air forces will use the same technology in the same way – even in the narrow area of decision-making.

Dr. Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Australia

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) for processing large amounts of data and making decisions have enhanced existing capabilities and made new ones possible. However, the future direction and character of AI in air power will depend on the strategic, organizational, and operational agility of air forces to define and shape the role of AI within their operational constructs.

Dr. Michael Raska, Assistant Professor, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore