NATO is a security structure made up of different countries, focused on the defense of their territory and collective solidarity.
At a time when security threats are diverse and advanced, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has raised its profile as one of the key technologies that can enhance NATO’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to potential threats.
AI has become the next big domain in the “theatre” of war, and NATO allies have made it a top priority as they seek to strengthen the alliance’s collective defense.
Also, AI offers tremendous potential to improve the understanding and management of strategic information. Based on complex algorithms and machines, AI can identify patterns, signs and threats that are not easily detectable by traditional methods.
This makes AI a critical partner in NATO’s strategic decision-making.
The alliance’s upcoming summit in Washington will not only commemorate its 75th anniversary, but also focus on NATO’s defense in an increasingly hostile geopolitical sphere.
At the heart of how NATO is seeking to defend itself in challenging times is the shift in AI technology.
Reliance on drones increased drastically since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, prompting a race for AI and the need to develop offensive and defensive strategies.
“The United States has the ability to build effective offensive and defensive systems to deter and, if necessary, defeat adversary actions,” said Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
In the field of collective defence, AI can also be used to monitor and analyze information from NATO’s information networks, identifying warning signs and improving the timeliness of operational responses.
At the same time, the use of AI in the context of collective defense requires special attention to ethics and data security. The Alliance has emphasized the importance of data protection and information security, stressing that the use of new technologies must comply with international laws and regulations.
It is known that in March, NATO introduced a technology program called DIANA, which works with public and private companies to develop new technologies and address the alliance’s challenges.
Under DIANA, 28 of NATO’s 32 member states will have test centers, in a move to support innovation across the alliance, writes yahoonews, Telegrafi.
But the vast expansion of AI capabilities means NATO is also looking to deploy defensive measures, especially in times of war.
“As drones become more sophisticated, as they remain free, and as people integrate AI into drones, there is a need for a comparable level of AI to be involved in the fight against UAS,” said the former Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Defense Investments, Marshall Billingslea.
Billingslea pointed out that AI is already being used effectively by the US when it comes to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, but this is now being expanded across NATO.
As reported, the alliance aims to increase its collective defense, and its AI initiatives aim not only to collect security data, but also to use it more efficiently.
Otherwise, the war in Ukraine has highlighted the need for NATO to protect its members and partner nations, especially non-NATO countries in Europe and in areas such as the Indo-Pacific, from threats posed by AI technologies.
In conclusion, Artificial Intelligence represents a great opportunity for NATO to improve its collective defense capabilities and meet the security challenges of the 21st century.
