Artificial intelligence is changing the way nations protect themselves. It has become essential for cybersecurity, weapons development, border control and even public discourse. It offers important strategic benefits, but introduces many risks as well. This article examines how AI is reshaping security, current outcomes, and the challenging questions these new technologies pose.
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Cybersecurity: The Battle of AI against AI
Most current attacks begin in cyberspace. Criminals no longer write all their phishing emails by hand. They use language models to draft friendly, natural-sounding messages. In 2024, the gang used a deepfake video from the chief financial officer stealing $25 million from their company. The video looked so realistic that the employees undoubtedly followed the fake order. Attackers are currently supplying large-scale language models to leak resumes or LinkedIn data to create personal bait. Some groups use the generated AI to create software bugs and create malware snippets.
Defenders also use AI against these attacks. Security teams report network logs, user clicks, and global threats to AI tools. The software learns “normal” activities and warns you when something suspicious happens. When an intrusion is detected, the AI system disconnects the suspicious computer and limits the damage that can spread if a human responds more slowly.
AI also step into physical battlefields. In Ukraine, drones use onboard vision to find fuel trucks or radar sites before they explode. The US has used AI to help identify targets for airstrikes in places like Syria. Israeli military recently used AI target selection platforms to sort thousands of aerial images to mark potential militant hideouts. China, Russia, Turkey and the UK have tested “lo ammunition” that circumnavigated the region until AI discovers its target. These technologies can make military operations more accurate and reduce the risk of soldiers. But they also raise serious concerns. Who is responsible if the algorithm selects the wrong target? Some experts fear a “flash war,” where machines are too fast for diplomats to stop them. Many experts are seeking international rules for controlling autonomous weapons, but say they may be delayed if they pause.
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Surveillance and intelligence
Intelligence services once relied on a team of analysts to read reports and watch video feeds. Today, they rely on AI to sift through millions of images and messages every hour. In some countries like China, AI tracks citizens’ behavior, from small things like Jay Walking to what they do online. Similarly, at the US-Mexico border, solar towers with cameras and thermal sensors scan the empty desert. AI discovers inspiring numbers, labels humans or animals, and alerts patrol agents. This “virtual wall” covers a wide area of ground that humans could not see on their own.
These tools expand coverage, but also increase errors. Face recognition systems have been shown to misidentify women and dark skinned people at a higher rate than white men. A single false match could lead to innocent people being faced with extra checks and detention. Policymakers seek audited algorithms, clear, compelling paths, and human reviews before strong action.
Modern conflicts are fought not only with missiles and codes, but also with stories. In March 2024, fake videos showed the Ukrainian president ordered soldiers to surrender. It spread online before fact-checkers exposed it. A fake AI-generated policy that flooded society’s currents in 2023 to soften opinions during the Israeli-Hamas battle.
False information spreads faster than the government can fix it. This is especially problematic during elections where content generated by AI to shake up voters is often used. Voters find it difficult to distinguish between actual images and AI-generated images. Governments and tech companies are working on counter-projects to scan digital fingerprints in AI, but race is tough. Creators improve fakes as quickly as defenders improve their filters.
The military and agencies collect vast amounts of data, including drone video times, maintenance logs, satellite images, and open source reports. AI is useful by sorting and highlighting related information. NATO recently adopted a system inspired by US project Maven. Links databases of 30 member countries to provide a unified view for planners. This system suggests potential enemy movements and identifies potential supply shortages. US Special Operations Command uses AI to help draft a portion of the annual budget by scanning invoices and recommending reallocation. Similar AI platforms predict engine failures, schedule repairs ahead of time, and customize flight simulations to suit the needs of individual pilots.
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Law enforcement and border control
Police and immigration officers use AI for tasks that require constant attention. At busy airports, biometric kiosks check the identity of travelers, making the process more efficient. Pattern analysis software selects travel records that suggest human trafficking and drug smuggling. In 2024, one European partnership revealed ring migrants using such tools to move migrants through freight ships. These tools will help make borders safer and catch criminals. But there are concerns too. Face recognition can fail for certain classes of people with low expression, which can lead to mistakes. Privacy is another matter. The key question is whether we need to use AI to monitor everyone very closely.
Conclusion
AI is changing national security in many ways, offering both opportunities and risks. It can protect the country from cyber threats, make military operations more accurate and improve decision-making. But it can also spread lies, invade privacy and cause fatal errors. As AI becomes more common in security, you need to find a balance between using its power well and controlling its dangers. This means that the state needs to work together to set clear rules on how AI is used. Ultimately, AI is a tool, and how you use it redefines the future of security. It helps us more than hurt us, as we have to be careful to use it wisely.
