AI at the front line: Technology is reshaping defence strategies

India has shown impressive AI capabilities in battle but must now adopt a new strategic paradigm

- ATUL RAI

As the global landscape becomes increasingly volatile, from the trenches of Ukraine to the mountainous terrain of Ladakh, and from the conflict zone of Gaza to the standoff in the East over Taiwan, artificial intelligence (AI) has quietly become central to defence strategies around the world. It is no longer just a futuristic promise; AI is actively shaping how nations detect, deter and respond to threats in real-time.

India, which has two next-door nuclear powers and faces persistent cross-border challenges, is embracing AI not just as a technological tool, but as a strategic necessity. From enabling precision strikes to fighting digital propaganda, AI is becoming the silent guardian of national security. It's no longer a question of whether AI should be used in defence, but how intelligently and ethically it can be deployed to safeguard the country.