At World Defense Show 2024, Australian special forces commander and academic Professor General Adam Finlay delivered an insightful presentation on the pivotal role of data and advanced technologies in modern military operations.
Highlighting AI-driven systems designed to enhance situational awareness and decision-making, the presentation addressed the issue of cognitive overload, a challenge military personnel face in an environment increasingly dense with data.
As the defense industry advances, militaries are adopting sophisticated technologies to improve operational efficiency and enhance the experiences of personnel.
Emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Military Things, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and edge computing, are reshaping military operations.
In the presentation titled “Advanced Technology Development and the Focus on AI,” Professor General Adam Finlay guided attendees through significant technological shifts and discussed the benefits of integrating these technologies to bolster military decision-making.
The Role of Data & AI
Modern military operations now rely heavily on advanced sensor networks that support operations by providing real-time data, enhancing situational awareness.
Artificial intelligence plays a central role in processing this vast influx of data, which is essential for analyzing large data volumes and enabling real-time decisions.
However, incorporating AI into military operations brings up ethical questions, particularly concerning AI’s role in decision-making. This has led to ongoing debates about whether AI should make such decisions autonomously or remain under human oversight, considering the Geneva Conventions and other rules governing armed conflict.
Within the broad scope of AI applications, Finlay highlighted several critical components reshaping military operations.
Machine learning allows AI systems to identify patterns in data and make predictions or decisions without direct human intervention. Such systems are particularly useful for generating recommendations or spotting threats based on statistical patterns, which significantly enhances decision-making.
Natural language processing improves communication through real-time translation, enabling collaboration among personnel from various linguistic backgrounds—a necessity for international military operations.
Additionally, Generative AI is drawing interest for its ability to create realistic content, including text, images, and audio. This capability is relevant for military contexts, from report generation to scenario simulations using vast datasets.
Together, these technologies drive the development of data-driven AI, promoting a more adaptable and responsive military force.
Beyond AI, cybersecurity and data protection have become pressing concerns. Finlay highlighted how AI algorithms are increasingly being used to breach encryption, emphasizing the need for secure communications and sophisticated threat detection to protect sensitive information. This is crucial given the immense flow of data across military networks.
Interoperability in Modern Military Technologies
The introduction of these new technologies underscores the need for interoperability. With numerous devices, platforms, and systems linked within the network, effective information sharing and collaboration across technologies are vital. Efforts are underway to ensure these systems work cohesively, providing military personnel with timely and accurate information.
Edge computing is emerging as a key solution to reduce reliance on traditional cloud computing. Finlay noted, “It’s better for the edge device to do the analytics at the coalface.”
Processing data locally enables quicker decision-making in urgent situations. However, there are times when central cloud systems are preferred for their ability to handle larger datasets. This presents a trade-off: “Do you do it at the edge and send back analyzed information, or do you send it all back to use cloud computing?” Finlay explained the ongoing balance between bandwidth limitations and the demand for real-time analytics in high-stress situations.
While these technologies offer great potential, the challenge lies in integrating them into a unified system. Modern military operations span multiple domains—sea, air, land, cyber, and space—each requiring specialized systems for effective communication, navigation, and operational functionality.
The Challenge of Cognitive Overload
Finlay addressed the biggest challenged faced amidst technological advancements, “When we put all these systems together, we have come to a very, very uncomfortable realization. That in all this high-tech, of all these systems that are being integrated for the human, the weakness is the human. The weakness is the ability of the human to deal with the vast amount of inputs that are coming into his or her brain.”
Despite technological advancements, cognitive overload remains a key issue. Soldiers are often overwhelmed by vast amounts of information from multiple systems, which can impair quick, effective decision-making. Finlay emphasized how, under cognitive overload, complex operations can challenge even the most skilled soldiers.
To counter this, AI protocols are being developed to help manage stress responses in military personnel. When individuals experience cognitive overload, their bodies release cortisol, a stress-related hormone.
Using saliva and blood detectors, AI systems can detect heightened cortisol levels and automatically take over routine tasks, allowing personnel to concentrate on critical decision-making. The AI remains engaged until cortisol levels drop, and personnel regain full cognitive function.
Finlay concluded by emphasizing the importance of integrating technologies to create a cohesive decision-making system for military personnel, “The totality of them has to be integrated so that personnel can make decisions that are right for the moment with all the inputs at hand, while also accounting for cognitive overload and stress responses.”
A Platform for Innovation
World Defense Show 2024 reaffirmed its status as a leading forum for collaboration, discussion, and innovation within the defense sector.
Insights shared by Professor General Adam Finlay to a select audience illustrated the importance of advanced technologies and how AI is a vital evolution in the defense landscape.
For attendees, this presentation served as a crucial platform for cultivating dialogue and exploring practical solutions to the challenges faced by military personnel, ultimately paving the way for a more effective and responsive defense sector.
World Defense Show is set to return in 2026, showcasing the future of defense through technological developments from around the globe.
Visit the World Defense Show website to register and learn more >>
