[PDF] AI-drones-future-of-defense-MatthewsLamensch_PAPER-WEB.pdf
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AI Analysis
The paper explores the integration of AI in drone warfare, focusing on its implications for NATO security and ethical debates. It includes case studies on Ukraine and Gaza, highlighting the role of AI in modern military conflicts and future trends involving non-state actors.
Key Takeaways
- Introduction of AI in drone warfare and its impact on military strategy.
- Ethical and legal challenges associated with autonomous weapon systems.
- Significant implications for NATO security and defense policies.
- Case studies on Ukraine and Gaza demonstrating real-world applications.
- Emerging trends involving non-state actors in drone warfare.
Why It Matters
The integration of AI in drone warfare represents a significant shift in military strategy, with potential to alter the balance of power in international conflicts. Understanding these developments is crucial for NATO and allied countries to adapt their defense policies and maintain security in an era of rapid technological advancement.
A KONRAD-ADENAUER-STIFTUNG PUBLICATION Copyright © 2025 by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publishers, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. The information in this study represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of KAS Canada or its staff. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. Canada Office Suite 303, 8 York Street Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 5S6 info.canada@kas.de Cover image: Renée Depocas Photo: iStock (modified) Kyle Matthews and Marie Lamensch 3 Table of contents 4 Glossary 5 Message from the Director 6 Foreward 7 Introduction 10 Methodology 11 Definitions and historical background 17 Introduction of AI in drone warfare 22 Ethical and legal debates 29 Impact on NATO security 34 Case studies: Ukraine and Gaza 41 Future trends 43 Non-state actors 45 Conclusion 47 About the authors 49 Bibliography 61 Endnotes AI, DRONES AND THE FUTURE OF DEFENSE A transnational security challenge 4 ACT Allied Command Transformation AGS Alliance Ground Surveillance A Artificial Intelligence AWS Autonomous Weapon Systems CCW Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons CEPA Center for European Policy Analysis CONOPs Concept of Operations DOD Department of Defense DSS Diplomatic Security Service DSMAC Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator FPV drones First Person View drones EU European Union HRW Human Rights Watch ICRC International Committee for the Red Cross IHL International Humanitarian Law IHRL International Human Rights Law ISR Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance LAWS Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems MALE UVAs Medium-altitude long-endurance UVAs NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NCIA NATO Communications and Information Agency NSPA NATO Support and Procurement Agency WMD Weapon of Mass Destruction UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle USV Unmanned Surface Vessels UN United Nations Glossary Kyle Matthews and Marie Lamensch 5 Message from the Director In current times of instability in geopolitics and shifting away from multilateralism, defending its territory and investing on recent emerging disruptive technologies become a priority, rather than an interest for many Allied countries within NATO. Our organization, KAS Canada, partnering with MIGS, wishes to discover the aspect of shifting landscape among a new hybrid warfare among different states, involving new military technologies. Our core and main aim is to strengthen partnership with Canada. In times of global crisis, it is more important than ever to secure freedom and security for the democratic countries. AI, Big Data, Biotechnology, Space, Quantum and other new technologies could help to defend our common shared values. I am proud to announce that this publication r