AI warfare

As dozens of armed conflicts continue worldwide, artificial intelligence in warfare has unexpectedly become a central topic at the UN General Assembly. Debate centers on who should lead global AI regulation, with Britain positioning itself as a candidate for that role. Discussion also focuses on what military AI could mean for the war in Ukraine and for global security more broadly.

The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first 'robot wingman' drones, autonomous aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets. The delivery marks the start of trials into autonomous warfare, testing how unmanned drones can support pilots in combat missions. The programme is seen as a major step toward integrating AI-driven aircraft into military operations.

The Week is examining the rise of lethal autonomous weapons, framing recent developments in military robotics as a potential revolution in warfare. The piece reflects a wider debate over weapons systems that can select and engage targets without human intervention, and over the lack of binding international rules governing their use. Critics warn of accountability gaps and escalation risks, while proponents point to precision and reduced risk to soldiers.

Iran has circulated an AI-generated video depicting delegates walking out of the UN General Assembly during Benjamin Netanyahu's address. The clip shows world leaders supposedly leaving the hall as the Israeli prime minister speaks, and it has drawn heavy attention online with hundreds of thousands of engagements. The video highlights how synthetic media is increasingly being used in Iran-Israel information warfare, with the UN setting in New York as the backdrop.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the creation of a new four-star command, referred to as AutoWarCom, dedicated to autonomous warfare. The command is intended to centralise the Pentagon's work on drones, robotic systems and AI-driven weapons under a single senior leadership structure. Announced on September 30, the move is drawing attention as one of the most significant US military reorganisations aimed at preparing for automated combat.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has given an interview discussing how artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare, with a focus on Ukraine's ability to innovate under wartime pressure and the lessons this holds for Europe's defence. Readers are sharing the conversation as a thought-provoking look at where technology and conflict may be heading next.

A segment from Democracy Now! titled "Valley of Death" examines Big Tech's role in AI warfare and alleges a secret deal between the CIA and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The piece is drawing wide attention, with viewers discussing the claims about intelligence agencies' ties to Silicon Valley and the military origins of consumer technology.

Ukraine's former defense minister says AI-powered robots are set to become the next stage of warfare technology. Writing in The Washington Post, he argues that autonomous systems are already shaping the battlefield in Ukraine and will define future conflicts. The remarks are drawing attention as countries weigh the pace of military automation and its risks.

Ukraine's 475th Code 9.2 Regiment says its AI-enabled drones are striking Russian armored vehicles before they can reach the border of the Kharkiv region. The unit claims its drones are destroying Russian armor on a near-industrial scale. The claim highlights the growing role of autonomous targeting in Ukraine's defense against Russian advances.

Airbus is being discussed in connection with the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie combat drone and the German Luftwaffe, with talk centring on collaborative combat and the use of artificial intelligence in future air warfare. Commenters frame it as a European, and specifically German, step toward integrating AI-driven unmanned wingmen alongside crewed fighter aircraft in defence planning.

Ukraine's former defense minister says AI-powered robots are set to become the next stage of warfare technology, following drones. His comments point to how the war in Ukraine is accelerating the development and deployment of autonomous systems on the battlefield, with implications for militaries worldwide.

The Lieber Institute at West Point has published a piece in its Asia-Pacific journal series asking whether military artificial intelligence systems can be engineered to comply with international humanitarian law by default. The article examines how design choices, safeguards and human oversight could embed legal constraints into autonomous and AI-assisted weapons before deployment.

A piece in the Asia-Pacific Journal series, published via the Lieber Institute at West Point, argues that while a new treaty governing military artificial intelligence is legally necessary, achieving one in practice is highly improbable. The analysis examines the gap between the de jure case for regulating AI in warfare and the political and technical obstacles that make agreement unlikely.

The US military intends to accelerate the deployment of drones and artificial intelligence in warfare, and Congress is weighing safeguards to govern that expansion. Lawmakers are examining what limits, oversight and safety rules should accompany the faster integration of autonomous systems on the battlefield, as the Pentagon moves to adopt the technologies more aggressively.

A Dutch company has developed artificial intelligence that allows different drone systems used on Ukraine's battlefield to communicate with one another. The technology helps Ukrainian forces coordinate drones made by separate manufacturers, easing a key interoperability problem as drone warfare expands rapidly on the front lines. The report by Reuters has drawn attention to how Western tech firms are increasingly supporting Ukraine's war effort.

Discussion is turning to algorithmic warfare: the use of artificial intelligence and automated systems to select targets, direct weapons and shape battlefield decisions. Commentators at academic institutions including the University of Notre Dame are weighing the strategic advantages against serious ethical and legal concerns, such as accountability for mistakes and the risk of machines making life-and-death judgments in modern conflicts.

Discussion is centering on the YFQ-48A, tagged as a combat drone designed for autonomous flight with artificial intelligence, within military aviation and defense circles. Posts in French and English link it to broader debates on AI-enabled warfare and the future of manned-unmanned military aviation. Details beyond its classification as an autonomous combat aircraft remain limited in the circulating coverage.

Infinity Ward, the studio behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, is presenting DMZ as the franchise's definitive extraction shooter experience and positioning it as a major pillar of the series alongside its traditional multiplayer. The mode blends large-scale exploration, AI enemies and high-stakes loot retrieval, marking a notable genre expansion for the long-running shooter.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced plans to cut 20% of senior military officers, including general and flag officers, while unveiling a new command focused on artificial intelligence. The move is framed as part of efforts to streamline the Pentagon's leadership structure and modernise the US military for emerging technologies and future warfare.

China has established new colleges within its military academies focused on artificial intelligence, drone warfare and discipline, according to the South China Morning Post. The restructuring signals Beijing's push to modernise the People's Liberation Army around emerging technologies as competition with the United States intensifies and defence planners emphasise unmanned systems and smart warfare capabilities.

Journalist Sharon Weinberger discusses her work on "Valley of Death," examining the deep historical relationship between the US intelligence community and Silicon Valley, including a reported secret deal between the CIA and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The interview also covers Big Tech's growing role in AI-powered warfare and Pentagon contracting.

A new analysis examines how generative and agentic AI are transforming influence operations, giving state and non-state actors cheaper tools to produce persuasive content at scale and automate persuasion campaigns. The piece argues these capabilities shift power dynamics in information warfare, lowering barriers to coordinated manipulation while making detection harder for platforms, governments and civil society defenders.