AI, super humans make up the future of defence

The UAE's growing mastery of information is enabling new and powerful technologies to emerge more rapidly than ever before.

Amid the fast-evolving security threats in today's world, the UAE's Ministry of Defence pledges to respond with smart initiatives that adopt artificial intelligence (AI), along with developments that can create 'super humans'.
The ministry hosted the 'National Defence in an Era of Technological Innovation' conference on Wednesday, bringing together hundreds of defence officials from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the US to shed light on the growing challenges and threats of war, and ways nations can solve these issues through innovation and cooperation.
"Technology is now advancing more rapidly than ever before, so that the welfare of nations now relies heavily on their ability to ride the wave of innovation," said Mohammad Ahmad Al Bawardi, Minister of State for Defence  Affairs.
He pointed out that in this era, the UAE's growing mastery of information is enabling new and powerful technologies to emerge more rapidly than ever before.
Innovative technology, however, is not all about automation and machines. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, highlighted that the future of defence will likely see "super humans".
"I anticipate that, in the future, there will be a big use of 'super humans', which refer to human beings with heightened senses and power that will be used by militaries," Al Olama said. "Currently, some countries are working on something called 'Super Soldiers', developing human power and capabilities."
While the benefits of technologies and AI are plenty, these developments could be the same tools that other entities use to destabilise nations and disrupt peace and order, an official said.
"Most companies are developing technology for profit's sake, so if a company creates a system that is meant to be used by many, even terrorists will use them," said Al Olama.
"We need to think of ways to develop defence systems, instead of offence systems," he said, stressing that innovation and AI-powered defence systems have all become a necessity to keep societies safe and secure.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi