Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from a novelty to an integral part of military strategies worldwide. Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022, AI has permeated various sectors, including defense. A series of recent developments highlights how military organizations are harnessing AI to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities.
In January 2025, newly inaugurated President Trump hosted OpenAI and various partners in the Oval Office to announce a significant initiative dubbed Stargate. This plan outlines an investment of $500 billion to establish new data centers, positioning the US military as a primary customer. By August, the Pentagon’s Chief Digital & AI Office was integrated into the Research & Engineering undersecretariat, marking a shift towards institutionalizing AI within military operations.
The advancements extend beyond administrative changes. The US military is currently testing AI technologies for various applications, including airspace management in drone-heavy battlefields and automated target recognition for hostile entities, such as tanks. These innovations rely on a blend of machine learning techniques, moving beyond the Large Language Models that power chatbots, and integrating them with traditional software systems to mitigate inaccuracies.
Significant AI Developments in Military Operations
Several notable stories emerged in 2025 that underline the profound impact of AI on military operations.
1. **Ukraine’s Drone Efficiency Boosted by AI**
In March, former Ukrainian defense official Kateryna Bondar shared her findings with Breaking Defense regarding how Ukraine has utilized AI to enhance the effectiveness of its attack drones. The country’s defense sector has integrated AI algorithms into drone systems, allowing them to navigate towards designated targets with greater precision. This dual approach—using large AI models for data analysis and streamlined algorithms for real-time operation—mirrors strategies increasingly explored by the US military.
2. **NGA Embraces AI for Intelligence Generation**
The National Geospatial-Imagery Agency (NGA) has emerged as a leader in AI adoption, leveraging its vast data reservoir to enhance intelligence operations. While OpenAI was launching ChatGPT, NGA was advancing its own initiatives, notably in Project Maven, which focuses on detecting targets in surveillance footage. In June 2025, NGA’s director, Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, confirmed the agency’s use of AI-generated reports, stating, “No human hands actually participate in that particular template and that particular dissemination.”
3. **Transition of Joint Fires Network to Acquisition Program**
At the annual Air Force Association conference in September, Maj. Gen. Luke Cropsey announced the transition of the Joint Fires Network (JFN) from research and development to a formal acquisition program. This network employs AI to allocate enemy targets across various US weapons, potentially enhancing operational efficiency in conflict scenarios, particularly in the Pacific theater.
4. **AI in Military Planning and Its Pitfalls**
During the same conference, Maj. Gen. Robert Claude revealed the military’s experimentations with AI to draft military action plans. The AI system demonstrated remarkable speed, generating ten courses of action in approximately eight seconds, compared to the 16 minutes required for human officers. However, the AI’s plans sometimes failed to account for critical operational nuances, raising concerns about its reliability in high-stakes situations.
5. **Cybersecurity Concerns with AI Utilization**
The global landscape of AI is not limited to democratic nations. A Beijing-backed hacker group has reportedly employed generative AI to conduct cyberattacks, showcasing a new dimension of AI capabilities. This group allegedly misled the AI system developed by Anthropic, enabling it to infiltrate around 30 government agencies and private entities. This incident marks a troubling trend where AI is not merely a tool in cyber warfare but an active participant in executing attacks.
As the integration of AI into military operations continues to expand, the implications for strategy, efficiency, and security are profound. The rapid evolution of this technology raises critical questions about reliability, ethical considerations, and the future landscape of warfare. With AI becoming more accessible and pervasive, all nations must navigate the challenges and opportunities it presents.
