Artificial Intelligence: The Magic Word That Will Change the Shape of Future Wars

I think everyone has heard the term artificial intelligence. When we think of artificial intelligence, we usually think of computers and especially programs like chatGPT. But artificial intelligence is not limited to this. It is used in almost every field and its use is becoming more widespread day by day. 

One of the most important areas where artificial intelligence is used is "war". The armed forces of many countries have been using artificial intelligence for more than a decade. Studies on the use of artificial intelligence in the military field are particularly focused on combat management systems and some types of radar. 

The most commonly used type of artificial intelligence for these systems is categorized as "simple artificial intelligence". Simple artificial intelligence is defined as the ability of machines to generate algorithms and perform calculations. This type of AI software is used to ease the burden of operators.

Some industrial companies have also started to use AI for pattern recognition and drone detection. For example, they are testing a new algorithm that enables the detection, identification and tracking of large numbers of UAVs/UAVs. In the next few years, they will integrate it into frigates and incorporate it into their surveillance systems. 

They also want to use artificial intelligence to improve video situational awareness on submarines. The system being developed for submarines will work like this: The periscope will acquire an image and transmit it to the combat management system to facilitate the recognition of potential threats and obstacles by the algorithm. 

The type of artificial intelligence used for this purpose is classified as "narrow artificial intelligence". Narrow AI includes any algorithm capable of learning and self-programming within a predetermined set of specific activities. 

Furthermore, a third type of artificial intelligence, called "general artificial intelligence", is being worked on. This type of artificial intelligence will make it possible to build and use systems that can mimic human awareness. However, it cannot yet be fully utilized due to a number of limitations. 

If these limitations can be overcome, it will be possible to use deep learning that combines multiple layers of complexity. The most important limitation is that although the algorithm can mimic human awareness, it cannot make judgments about the data it receives. 

Presumably, these problems will be solved in time. Because technology, especially software technology, is developing at an unbelievable pace. The advances in science and technology that we experience in a human lifetime are many times greater than those experienced throughout human history. Every year something new is being done that we could not have imagined a year ago. 

Moreover, science and technology have spread all over the world, breaking the monopoly of the West, which has been the dominant power since the Age of Enlightenment. Even many countries that used to be colonies of the West have caught up and even surpassed their former colonizers in science and technology. 

As a result, much more work is now being carried out in the field of science and technology. This further accelerates the pace of development. Turkey, too, needs to get rid of vicious debates and empty political calculations as soon as possible and increase its investments in science and technology. 

This is also very important for our armed forces. Because it has become a necessity to rapidly implement new technologies in the training, equipment and weapons of the army. If this is not done, it is inevitable that we will face great destruction in future conflicts. 

As we have seen in the wars in Libya and Karabakh, even a superiority in UCAV technology can win a war. Of course, well-trained and brave soldiers are still very important in the military, but they are no longer decisive in the outcome.

The wars of the future will be won not by states with an army of well-trained soldiers, but by states with good engineers and new weapons and systems built with new technologies they have invented. 

Of course, the level of effectiveness of the newly developed software for these weapons and systems, i.e. artificial intelligence, will also have an impact on the outcome. Thus, in the near future, wars will become a struggle between machines rather than soldiers, as in science fiction movies and computer games.

And the victorious side will be the one with machines with more advanced artificial intelligence. For this reason, armies will rapidly become hybridized; that is, human-machine hybrids. In fact, recent wars show that armies are already hybridizing and using many weapons and technologies similar to those used in computer games.

Note: For definitions of types of artificial intelligence, SHEPHARD Magazine dated April 18, 2023 was used.