Air University Press has published Strategic Multilayer Assessment’s (SMA) latest book, Human, Machine, War: How the Mind-Tech Nexus Will Win Future Wars.

While there are parallels, the environment in which deterrence occurs for the U.S. Military is vastly different in context than for domestic or international law enforcement.‍

Artificial intelligence (AI) is proliferating throughout society and has implications for many careers and jobs, including military intelligence. More specifically, AI tools have the potential to enhance the analysis conducted by analysts within the intelligence community (IC). Dr. Flores emphasized the need for the United States to compete with China and Russia for AI dominance, as the stakes and implications of allowing these countries to surpass the United States in AI development continue to rise. These stakes include threats to democratic institutions and the spread of authoritarianism.

During World War II, Germany combined emerging technological advancements with human elements of warfare—such as surprise and operational skill—to execute its Blitzkrieg strategy in the early stages of the conflict. Today, emerging technologies are enhancing the interface between warfighters and machines, threatening to fundamentally alter the nature and conduct of war. Even nascent technologies have the potential to reshape how people think about and conceptualize warfare.

SMA hosted a panel with Mr. Michael A. Clark (Director for Acquisition and Technology (J9), USCYBERCOM), Ms. Kayse Jansen (Branch Chief, Deterrence Analysis and Outreach, Plans and Policy Directorate, USSTRATCOM/J5), Mr. James “JJ” Jenista (Air Force Civilian, Joint Training, Exercise, and Wargaming Directorate (J7), USNORTHCOM & NORAD), Mr. Robert C. Jones (Senior Strategist, USSOCOM J5-JSOU Donovan Integration Group), Mr. Jimmy Krakar (Academic Coordinator, USEUCOM), Ms. Lesley Kucharski (Analyst, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Dr. Robert M. Toguchi (Chief, Concepts Division, Force Modernization Directorate (FMD), USASOC), Col David W. Walker (Policy Division Chief, USCENTCOM CCJ5), and Ms. Michele K. Wolfe (Senior Operations Research Analyst, USAFRICOM) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.

SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Sidharth Kaushal (Royal United Services Institute) as part of its SMA EUCOM Speaker Series.

The proliferation of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), commonly referred to as drones, in modern combat is accelerating the evolution of techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) being adopted by the military.

Electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) contestation occurs when two or more actors use EMS to gather information or disrupt an adversary’s ability to operate. War games must accurately reflect the prevalence of EMS contestation to prepare participants for real-world scenarios.

Stable and secure critical infrastructure—systems or assets essential to society—serve as a key component of national security and daily life in the United States.

The field of biomedical research is rapidly expanding and evolving, providing numerous opportunities for technological advancements in synthetic biology, genome editing, and bioengineered devices.

The race to achieve quantum computing has significant implications for the future security landscape. Dr. Williams highlighted the current progress, challenges, and opportunities for growth in the quantum computing field.

One of the GDELT Project’s goals is to use artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand our world.

Five years ago, the Army Futures Command was established with the primary objective of studying and preparing the army for future conflicts.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the current threat environment and showing that it can erode the fighting ability of states’ militaries. While well-designed information operations (IO) that support AI can strengthen militaries’ and governments’ security apparatus, it must be used carefully and thoughtfully

China’s government and its the military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), have been striving to close the gap between their technological capabilities and those of the US. China has been quickly modernizing its military since the early 1990s. Dr. Mulvaney emphasized that the control China’s government enjoys over the whole of Chinese society is one factor that has contributed to its quick advancement in the application to science and technology to its military.

Human-machine learning and technology that cognitively connects operators to technology has strong implications for the future of warfare. Dr. Wright stated that new technologies will not replace workers or warfighters; however, those without the skill sets required to operate the technology will be replaced by those who can. Much of this technology will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI). The capability of AI has grown significantly during the last decade. Twelve years ago, AI was able to successfully to discern dogs from cats, while today it can generate its own images of dogs, cats, and dog-cat hybrids. Artificial intelligence has also demonstrated the ability to answer complex problems in recent years. For example, a professor asked ChatGPT a scientific question and received a correct and highly sophisticated answer that received an A grade. Ultimately, the interface between AI and the user will be imperative to its success in the field. Dr. Wright reminded the audience that poor interface in fighter jets during WWII lead to the death of several pilots because they pressed the incorrect switch instead of the correct switch next to it while landing.

Technology advancement has always affected how war is fought, including the psychology of warfighters. Many military and political leaders believe the next evolution of weaponry systems will include machines replacing human soldiers on the front line. While this includes artificial intelligence (AI), it also includes many more technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Mr. Bendett commented that Russia has been experimenting with many different types of AI, unmanned machinery, and technologies that connect directly to soldiers’ neural pathways. Historically, Russia’s government has funded the majority of Russia’s military research and development. Recently, the war in Ukraine has diverted much of Russia’s government resources; however, its partnerships with commercial companies that specialize in quantum physics and advanced robotics are allowing it to continue to work on artificial intelligence.

SMA hosted a speaker session with Sir David Omand (Kings College London; Former Director, GCHQ; First UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator), Dr. Jonathan Moreno (University of Pennsylvania), and Dr. Jim Giordano (Georgetown University Medical Center) as part of its SMA Mind-Tech Nexus Speaker Series. The Panel was moderated by Dr. Nicholas Wright (Intelligent Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, University College London, and Center for Strategic and International Studies).

Military and state leaders have tried to understand and predict nations’ will to preserve and fight through adversity. Mr. McNerney argued that it is possible to predict a nation’s will to fight an invading force; however, conflicts throughout history—such as Vietnam and Afghanistan—demonstrate that the understanding of individual nation’s will at a national level is poor. The question of will itself is large and difficult to scope, commented Maj Gen (Rtd) Sharpe. The speakers all mentioned areas of focus, factors, mechanisms, and contextual information that they believed influence a nation’s will to fight. Several factors include, but are not limited to, civilian-military relations, popular support, governmental cohesion, and economic leverage. Technology is a tool that can help explain a country’s will to fight.

The advancement of technology—including artificial intelligence (AI)—is unavoidable. New technology will inevitably change how military campaigns are conducted and how individual military units engage in combat.

Military leaders have long sought to understand what enables soldiers to willingly engage in combat and other dangerous activities. New technologies relating to the mind-tech nexus may allow scholars and leaders to understand why soldiers decide to place themselves in harm’s way, and even encourage it.

SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Stefanie Tompkins (Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [DARPA]) as part of its SMA Mind-Tech Nexus Speaker Series.