India is making significant strides in military technology by developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered army.
This initiative aims to level the playing field with larger adversaries, particularly China, and involves a substantial investment in AI capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- India is investing around £50 million in AI for its military.
- The initiative includes the development of robotic soldiers and aquatic robots.
- Experts argue that the investment is insufficient compared to China's spending.
- Ethical concerns about AI autonomy and transparency are being raised.
- India is collaborating with the United States to enhance its AI capabilities.
Investment and Development
India has committed approximately £50 million to develop AI technologies for its military. This investment is primarily directed towards the army, with plans to create robotic soldiers and aquatic robots. The robotic soldiers, resembling small tank-like machines, are capable of firing weapons autonomously. The navy is also exploring the development of aquatic robots to operate in environments that are inaccessible to humans.
Expert Opinions and Criticisms
Despite the significant investment, experts believe that India's spending on AI is inadequate compared to its primary strategic competitor, China. A report by the Delhi Policy Group highlights that China is investing more than 30 times the amount India is currently spending. The report suggests that greater investments are necessary to avoid falling behind in the technology race and to promote indigenous industry players.
Ethical Concerns
The development of AI-powered military technology raises several ethical issues. One major concern is the level of autonomy granted to AI systems and the necessity of keeping humans in the decision-making loop. Many existing AI systems operate as "black boxes," meaning their decision-making processes are not transparent and cannot be easily explained to human users. This lack of transparency poses significant ethical and operational challenges.
International Collaboration
To bolster its AI capabilities, India has recently announced a partnership with the United States. The Indian Army's Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group is actively exploring new "modern warfare" technologies. This collaboration aims to enhance India's AI capabilities and ensure that it remains competitive on the global stage.
Geopolitical Context
While China is a significant focus of India's AI military development, other countries also pose challenges. Pakistan remains India's most prominent adversary, followed by Brazil, China, France, and Spain, according to a 2017 BBC World Service poll on anti-Indian sentiment.
India's efforts to develop an AI-powered army represent a crucial step in modernising its military and addressing the challenges posed by larger adversaries. However, the initiative also underscores the need for increased investment and careful consideration of ethical implications.
