This Means War Battlefield AI
Oct 2, 2025
Rob Wilson, a defence technology expert and former naval officer, dives deep into the evolving landscape of AI in warfare. He discusses the complexities of AI applications, from machine learning to autonomous systems, and the geopolitical race for resources. The conversation highlights the challenges of integrating AI into combat systems and the necessity of trust-building in military exercises. Wilson also addresses how AI is reshaping the nature of war while questioning procurement realities and the need for rigorous testing to ensure effectiveness on the battlefield.
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Clear AI Taxonomy For Military Use
- Rob Wilson defines AI as a set of techniques (ML, CV, NLP, deep learning, robotics) aiming to simulate intelligence.
- He distinguishes ANI, ACI and AGI and places current military tech at ACI, not AGI.
ACI Alters Character, AGI Alters Nature
- ACI can change the character of war by improving speed, precision and efficiency without removing human agency.
- AGI would be a different scale of risk because it could remove human decision authority and alter the nature of war.
Subsea Sensing As An AI Frontier
- Wilson describes maritime subsea sensing as a high‑value target for autonomy and AI at scale.
- He notes persistent technical difficulty detecting very quiet submarines but expects improvement over time.