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The rise of AI is having an impact across various sectors, and the defence industry is not immune to the changes. As with any area of industry, it’s how the next generation of contractors will adapt to new ways of working, as a result of the implementation of AI.
So, what will AI’s influence in the defence sector mean for new contractors stepping into the role? How will they handle the challenges that will inevitably come their way, or will they see AI as an opportunity to take defence in a new direction? We’ll explore just how AI could make waves in the industry.
How AI Could Impact Different Defence Departments
In order to prepare the next generation of defence contractors, we will investigate the impact AI could have in each area of defence. From predicting cyber threats to using autonomous systems, AI is set to have a significant role in the future of defence.
Autonomous systems
Where it is both costly and dangerous to send human-operated vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are deployed. When used with AI, this further reduces human input. AI identifies and guides UAVs and UGVs towards their target and allows for improved interconnectivity between systems.
Cybersecurity
In the defence industry, security is of utmost importance. With cybersecurity threats on the rise, technology has to rapidly evolve to counteract these challenges. AI can detect anomalies and respond to potential breaches far faster than humans can. Intercepting a cybersecurity threat before it becomes a problem is critical. AI is being used as a way to attain this goal.
Security in its broader sense can also benefit from AI integration. For example, AI security cameras fill in the gaps where traditional security systems fall short. Security cameras supported by AI have a far superior threat detection rate and don’t have to rely on a human attention span to identify a physical security breach in time.
Data and intelligence gathering
The margin for human error can have a potentially disastrous effect on data collection and intelligence gathering in the defence sector. Not only this, but the time it takes for human employees to sort and analyse information is problematic, especially if a project is time-sensitive.
AI systems can be instructed to efficiently carry out data collection and analysis tasks that are time-consuming and monotonous to a human workforce. Of course, the technology needs to be supervised as it is still in its infancy compared to traditional methods of data collection and analysis in defence, however, AI shows great promise in this department.
Minimising reliance on field staff
While this sounds like a case of AI replacing human field staff, it could be seen from a safety standpoint. In areas that are considered high-risk, AI used in conjunction with satellites and drones could help minimise the threat to human life. Instead of downsizing staffing, the team could be restructured, utilising human resources elsewhere, in a role that is of lower risk.
Collaborative working
The next generation of defence contractors will see a push towards more collaborative ways of working. Not only in regard to humans working with AI itself, but also in forging partnerships with external software and tech companies. These are the companies that are developing AI technology specifically for use in defence.
New defence contractors will be required to communicate with tech and software companies in order to gain a better insight into how these AI systems work. Improved interdepartmental collaboration means that vital information can be distributed more effectively, and everyone can benefit from upskilling their understanding of AI systems.
The future of defence appears to be intrinsically tied to AI systems, as they indisputably provide the sector with many benefits. Therefore, the next generation of defence contractors needs to become familiar with new ways of working. It’s clear that their roles will look very different to those of their predecessors, but, as technology advances, so must we.