Battle Algorithm

Battle Algorithm

The Economist

I came across an article from The Economist that was interesting and covered a wide array of issues AI, algorithms, machine learning, and computer vision and how these are being used or applied for modern warfare. One of the key insights/applications from the article states, "a major application for AI in the armed forces will be in processing data", which is an accelerator to intelligence and decision-making.    

Processing at the speed of computing provides an edge on the battlefields, regardless of the domain (land, sea, space, cyber, and air). AI is poised to enhance planning based on intelligence data, scenarios, and predictive analytics by reducing planning cycles and creating dynamic views of volatile, fluid battle situations. The author goes on to highlight how algorithms can serve up options and how those options were developed. Of course this is the manifestation of the expert and decision support systems we envisioned decades ago which are super efficient now because of advanced technologies and increased computing power. One of the encouraging aspects of the AI and battle algorithms is their use of rules and randomness. The rules could come from doctrine, but the randomness comes from our human diversions from rules, the situation, environment, time, tactics, and prior history, patterns, and trends. Conversely, algorithms and deep learning enable AI to reach and surpass human creativity and imagination as evidenced by AlphaGo, a deep-learning algorithm built by DeepMind, that beat one of the world’s best players in the ancient Chinese strategy game Go.  

One of the poignant points from The Economist article is, "Algorithms, of course, are omnivorous and can be fed any sort of data, not just images." This characteristic or capability of algorithms to take in data makes it a multi-INT system that provides "intelligence integration" that has been an integral part of the National Intelligence Strategy. Intelligence and battle require omnivorous collection, processing, analysis and dissemination. Battle algorithms provide the time-sensitive information to help warriors, commanders, and decision-makers battle-ready options for an exponential battlespace. 

Enjoy the article and let us know what you think! More at https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/09/07/artificial-intelligence-is-changing-every-aspect-of-war