RAND - Strategic competition in the age of AI
Summary
A RAND study commissioned by UK MOD examines potential strategic implications of military AI, identifying priority issues and uncertainties in technological competition.
Review
The RAND research represents a critical examination of how artificial intelligence might transform military strategy and geopolitical competition. By focusing on strategic-level impacts rather than tactical applications, the study addresses a significant gap in existing AI research, particularly in defense contexts. The methodology emphasizes the profound uncertainty surrounding AI's potential impacts, recommending an adaptive approach to understanding emerging risks and opportunities. The research highlights the importance of rapid, effective state responses to intensifying AI competition, suggesting that the manifestation of risks or opportunities will largely depend on how nations strategically position themselves and develop AI capabilities.
Key Points
- Deep uncertainty exists around military AI's strategic impacts
- Urgent action is needed to understand and adapt to AI competition
- Strategic-level analysis is crucial beyond existing tactical research