‘Emerging Frontiers — Technology Absorption in the Indian Army’ by Akshat Upadhyay: Advancing with AI

Initial investments in AI for military applications are substantial and involve both financial resources and human capital. This is the phase where foundational AI technologies are developed and adapted for unique military requirements. For example, developing an AI system capable of processing vast amounts of intelligence data for real-time decision-making requires significant R&D resources to create algorithms that can learn from and act upon complex and noisy data environments.

Once the AI systems are operational, the focus shifts to maintaining and upgrading these systems, involving better methods of utilsing compute such as test-time compute, data management and system integration across various military platforms. This is visible in AI systems that are used for predictive maintenance of military equipment and where the initial development of the system is CAPEX intensive, but ongoing integration with equipment, analysis of data and continuous improvement falls into OPEX. The difference here is not in creating a new predictive maintenance system but in how well it can predict failures and streamline operations compared to others.

AI in the military is still largely in an extractive (CAPEX) cycle. This is characterised by significant R&D efforts to harness AI for various military applications such as autonomous vehicles, cyber defence, intelligence analysis and logistics management. Military AI is a rapidly advancing field, and the focus is on developing and refining technologies to ensure that they can operate reliably and effectively in volatile and complex environments where the military operates. For AI, continued investment in the extractive industries — involved in creating and refining AI capabilities — should be the dominant strategy. This investment is essential to maintaining a competitive edge, given the rapid pace of technological change and the strategic advantage conferred by advanced AI systems. There is a strong emphasis on developing AI that can process and analyse large datasets for decision-making, conduct autonomous operations and enhance the capabilities of human operators (human machine teaming or HMT).

— Excerpted with permission from Pentagon Press