Siri-ous warfare: Navigating India's AI defence dilemma amidst China's ambitions

In an era of technological innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal force reshaping the landscape of modern warfare.

- PURUSHENDRA SINGH & AAKARSH BHARGAV

The rapid advancement of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) signals a shift that countries can no longer afford to ignore.

This is evident from the tech-based Quad Leader summit at Biden’s hometown Wilmington, the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly and India’s deal with the US to acquire 31MQ-9B predator drones, unmanned aerial vehicles capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations equipped with air-to-surface missiles and laser-guided bombs.

In fact, in the Industry 4.0 revolution, China surged ahead in this techno-hybrid arms race, which was a big challenge for its longest southern border neighbour, India.

China’s aspirations to dominate in AI are not merely economic; they are deeply intertwined with military strategy. The country’s ‘New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan’ illustrates this dual-purpose approach, seamlessly integrating civilian technology into military applications. This strategic intertwining allows China to rapidly transition innovations from the commercial sector to its armed forces, creating a formidable advantage that complicates global security dynamics.