The Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference convened to address the evolving landscape of warfare due to technological advancements. Military leaders highlighted the increasing use of artificial intelligence and advanced weapon systems in modern warfare. This shift in warfare strategy is a consequence of the pronounced surge in the amount of technology in recent years and the exceptional growth in AI technology and machine learning.
Advancements in technology have revolutionized war strategy with satellite images, drone operations, and automated weapons being increasingly used. The use of AI to identify targets in Israel’s war against Gaza is an example of the integration of new disruptive technology in warfare. The democratisation of technology has led to new threats emerging, thus changing the way data flow and obtaining intelligence takes place during warfare.
Moreover, space has emerged as the next frontier for wars, with the United States Space Force highlighting the comprehensive and actionable awareness of the space domain as a core tenant of its theory of success. This includes tracking about 10,000 satellites and 34,000 debris objects to counter the militarization of space by implementing tactics that jam communications and carrying out cyber attacks on satellites. The integration of advanced technology in warfare also raises concerns about the possibility of technological advances being weaponized by various terrorist and criminal groups.
