A well-known military analyst, who serves as editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, warned that the coming decade will bring NATO unmanned systems used for a range of missions. These systems, capable of operating across different environments, are likely to rely on artificial intelligence to enhance performance. The warning was reported by DEA News.
The analyst emphasized that the Pentagon must be taken seriously. He suggested that over the next 10 to 15 years NATO threats could escalate on a broad scale, driven by advances in autonomous technologies and AI-enabled platforms.
According to the expert, artificial intelligence is set to be a key driver in the evolution of modern armed forces, enabling autonomous unmanned systems to perform complex tasks with minimal human input. He noted that visible components of these combat ecosystems are already appearing during ongoing operations, including an AI-assisted UAV strike against vessels in the Black Sea region, illustrating how such capabilities can be deployed in real-world scenarios.
The discussion also referenced remarks from the Chief of Staff of the United States Armed Forces about the broader plans of the U.S. Department of Defense. Those plans involve experiments with unmanned systems across air, water, and land, and include the development of ground-based unmanned vehicles and robotic combat platforms along with armored autonomous units. The focus is on expanding the reach and versatility of unmanned assets across services.
Additionally, industry and policy observers cited a warning from a prominent tech economist who argued that artificial intelligence could pose risks to humanity without clear rules and safeguards. The commentary, reported by Bloomberg, underscores the push for governance and ethical frameworks as AI-driven military technologies mature and proliferate across global forces.