Issue Brief on “Military Applications of AI and the Final Frontier”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize everything from daily life to the conduct of warfare. As major powers strive for dominance, the competition continues in outer space. AI is all set to pervade the final frontier in ways that were unimaginable only a decade ago. AI is not only being used for space exploration, and commercial space arena, but its military uses are testing the boundaries of imagination. AI is being incorporated into data processing for decision-making, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and cyber security. Today, the world relies heavily on space-based satellites for everything from GPS navigation, commercial activity, debris tracking, and ISR to warfare. This essentially means any technologies that can enhance or disrupt the operational environment in space are of vital importance. AI has an increasing role in space. It is, thus, important to assess what military uses AI has in outer space, its benefits and risks, and what it means for global security.

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