Military Deception in the Age of AI
Modern military operations must now deceive not only enemy commanders but also the AI systems that support them. This shift is crucial as future wars will see commanders relying heavily on AI to analyze battlefield data. US Army officers Mark Askew and Antonio Salinas argue that traditional methods of deception, such as hiding troop movements, are no longer sufficient. Instead, militaries must now focus on manipulating how enemy AI interprets information.
The challenge lies in the fact that AI excels at pattern recognition but struggles with novel or unexpected data. ‘Slight changes in a drone’s appearance might cause AI to misidentify it,’ the officers noted. This vulnerability can be exploited by feeding enemy AI systems false signals or data, thereby undermining their effectiveness and the trust commanders have in them. For instance, false images can be fed to enemy sensors to mislead their AI into drawing incorrect conclusions, further blinding human commanders.
The US Army’s 38th Infantry Division established a command post during a 2023 exercise, highlighting the modern military’s reliance on advanced technology and data analysis.
Russia and China, with their rigid command structures, are particularly vulnerable to such deception. Their reliance on AI for military planning and logistics, such as Russia’s use of AI in drones and cyberwarfare and China’s DeepSeek system, creates an opening for adversaries. By feeding their AI systems deceptive data, enemies can cause widespread misjudgments and delayed responses.
Historically, successful military deception has relied on understanding the enemy’s mindset and reinforcing their preconceptions. The Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE and the Allied deception operations before D-Day are prime examples. In both cases, deception was effective because it aligned with what the enemy already believed.
While AI enhances data analysis capabilities, it does not eliminate the ‘fog of war.’ Deception will continue to play a crucial role in military strategy, focusing on shaping the adversary’s perception rather than avoiding detection. As the nature of warfare evolves, understanding how to manipulate both human and AI decision-making processes will become increasingly important.
The integration of AI in military operations presents both opportunities and challenges. Militaries must now protect their AI systems from deception while exploiting these vulnerabilities in their enemies. The cat-and-mouse game of military deception has entered a new era, with AI as a key player.
