TL;DR:
- Warfare in the future will be defined by cyber attacks facilitated by quantum computers, robotic exoskeletons, and AI-controlled drones.
- Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will enhance soldiers’ abilities by providing superhuman senses and real-time information.
- Low-Earth-orbit satellites will enable fast internet connections on the battlefield, supporting the development of AR, VR, and robotics.
- Quantum computers pose a threat to public key encryption and could potentially disrupt the global banking system and energy grids.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to govern pilotless fighters, replacing human pilots for quicker decision-making.
- Biotechnology and nanotechnology will enhance soldier performance and introduce new possibilities for medical care and weaponry.
- Robot exoskeletons and autonomous combat drones will be deployed alongside soldiers, enhancing battlefield capabilities.
Main AI News:
Experts have foreseen a future where warfare will be transformed, with mushroom clouds giving way to devastating cyber attacks facilitated by “quantum computers.” In a chilling revelation shared with DailyMail.com, former soldiers and intelligence agents emphasized the significant impact of technological advancements on the nature of warfare. These innovations encompass quantum computers, boasting millions of times more power than present-day machines, as well as robotic exoskeletons that endow soldiers with superhuman strength and AI-controlled drones that can eliminate targets without human intervention.
Intrigued by these predictions, DailyMail.com collaborated with the AI image-generator Midjourney to visualize the future of the battlefield and the technologies that will bring it to life. The fusion of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will grant soldiers extraordinary sensory abilities, enabling them to “see through” drones or maneuver robotic vehicles. Augmented reality “heads-up displays” (HUDs) will overlay pilots’ and soldiers’ views, providing real-time information. Adam Seamons, Information Security Manager at GRC International Group, highlighted the extensive use of VR for training military and commercial pilots, as well as the potential for manned drone training. Seamons predicted that VR training, coupled with AR HUDs for drone pilots, will become indispensable for both training and operating military systems in the future.
Driving these advancements will be low-Earth-orbit satellites, which offer rapid internet connections on the battlefield. Chris Moore, a retired Air Vice-Marshal and Vice President of Defense & Security for satellite internet company OneWeb, affirmed that LEO space-based SATCOM would play a crucial role in facilitating various technological breakthroughs such as AR, VR, and robotics. Ultimately, these developments will enhance the lethality of military forces through more effective and efficient deployment.
Nevertheless, the future of warfare will also be shaped by quantum computers, potentially disrupting the global banking system and energy grids with unprecedented ease. Andersen Cheng, Founder and Executive Chairman of Post-Quantum, cautioned that these “quantum computers” could jeopardize public key encryption (PKI), which safeguards critical information in sectors ranging from banking to the military. Cheng emphasized the immense computing power of quantum computers, which utilize qubits—units that can exist as both one and zero simultaneously.
With quantum computers expected to be millions of times faster than their classical counterparts, Cheng stressed the need for proactive preparation rather than reactive response. He further underscored the existence of a secretive quantum arms race, which makes it challenging to ascertain its exact status. The potential consequences are far-reaching, with attacks impacting energy infrastructure and financial institutions rather than culminating in mushroom clouds.
Cheng shed light on the activities of groups seemingly connected to China and Russia, who are already pilfering encrypted data to be decrypted once a sufficiently powerful quantum computer becomes operational. He cautioned that any data vulnerable to compromise in the next 5-15 years, lacking quantum-safe standards, may already be at risk.
Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to assume complete control over pilotless fighters. Carlton King, a former MI6 agent and author, envisaged a scenario where AI governs unmanned attack aircraft. Military leaders will be enticed by the advantages of employing machine learning to pilot such crafts. King warned that relinquishing control to independent robotic machines equipped with machine learning algorithms might lead to a loss of command. The rapid decision-making capabilities of AI-driven systems, contrasted with potential human limitations, could prompt military leaders in the United States and Britain to replace human pilots with artificial intelligence. This transition would ensure quicker responses and empower AI to make crucial decisions regarding initiating or withholding fire.
Biotechnology and nanotechnology are set to play a pivotal role in “upgrading” soldiers of the future. Pablo Ballarin Usieto, a cybersecurity advisor and member of ISACA’s Emerging Trends Working Group, highlighted the potential for these technologies to enhance soldier performance, improve medical care on the battlefield, and even introduce new types of weaponry. Usieto stressed the importance of considering ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns surrounding these advancements. He emphasized the necessity of designing and employing these technologies in a manner that minimizes harm to civilians and aligns with international humanitarian laws and norms.
To complement these innovations, soldiers will be joined on the battlefield by robot exoskeletons and autonomous combat drones. Usieto projected that by 2030, a quarter of U.S. forces would comprise robotic entities, affording the military smaller, deadlier, and more agile capabilities. Usieto argued that the integration of robots and autonomous systems, including unmanned ground vehicles, robotic exoskeletons, and autonomous combat systems, would mitigate risks faced by human soldiers while simultaneously enhancing battlefield capabilities.
Conclusion:
The rapid evolution of technology is poised to revolutionize the market for defense and security. The emergence of quantum computers and AI-driven systems will reshape the way wars are fought, with implications for cybersecurity, encryption, and the global banking sector. Companies involved in VR, AR, robotics, and satellite technology will witness a surge in demand as the military seeks to leverage these advancements for training, operational efficiency, and enhanced battlefield capabilities.
Moreover, the integration of biotechnology and nanotechnology will create opportunities for companies involved in soldier enhancement and medical care. To succeed in this market, businesses should align their strategies with ethical considerations and international humanitarian laws to ensure the responsible and effective use of these technologies in the context of warfare.
