Integration of AI in defence and private sector

As Pakistan hosted the Indus RAS (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) Expo 2026 in Islamabad, the event served as more than a showcase of emerging technologies and it reflected the country’s growing recognition that artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems will play a defining role in national development and security.

From industrial automation and smart manufacturing to healthcare, disaster response, and defence, AI is rapidly becoming a strategic capability essential for every nation. For a country with a young, expanding technology sector and an increasingly complex regional security environment, investing in indigenous AI research and autonomous systems is not merely an opportunity but a strategic necessity.

Once associated primarily with voice assistants and recommendation algorithms, AI is now being integrated into military operations across the globe, transforming how wars are fought, how decisions are made, and raising profound ethical questions about the future of armed conflict.

Military powers including the United States, China, Russia, Israel, the United Kingdom and several North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies have invested billions in AI-driven technologies over the past decade. These systems are increasingly being used to analyse intelligence, coordinate logistics, identify military targets, defend against cyberattacks, and operate autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles.

In the ongoing conflict between Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran, AI has reportedly been used to assist with satellite image analysis, drone navigation, battlefield mapping and the rapid processing of intelligence from multiple sources.

The rapid pace of development has led many defence analysts to compare AI to previous military revolutions brought about by the invention of gunpowder, aircraft and nuclear weapons. Unlike those technologies, artificial intelligence evolves continuously, improving as it processes more data and interacts with increasingly complex environments.

A new kind of battlefield

Modern warfare generates vast quantities of information. Satellites, surveillance drones, radar systems, communications intercepts and social media produce millions of data points every day. Human analysts alone can no longer process this information quickly enough to maintain a tactical advantage. Artificial intelligence is helping bridge that gap.

Machine-learning systems can identify unusual troop movements from satellite imagery, detect missile launches in real time, and prioritise intelligence reports by urgency. Programmes such as the US Department of Defence’s Project Maven illustrate how AI can process vast quantities of visual data far more quickly than human analysts, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.

In the ongoing conflict between Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran, AI has reportedly been used to assist with satellite image analysis, drone navigation, battlefield mapping and the rapid processing of intelligence from multiple sources. Similar technologies are being explored or deployed in conflicts elsewhere, demonstrating that AI is no longer a theoretical capability but an operational reality.

Drones become smarter

One of the most visible examples of AI in warfare is the rapid evolution of unmanned aerial systems. Initially used for surveillance, drones are increasingly capable of autonomous navigation, target recognition and coordinated operations with other unmanned systems.

Some experimental programmes allow groups of drones, often referred to as “swarms”, to communicate with one another, adapt to changing battlefield conditions and overwhelm enemy defences through coordinated manoeuvres.

Military success will increasingly depend not only on troop numbers or weapon stockpiles but also on computing power, software innovation and access to high-quality data.

During the recent US-Iran conflict, a US fighter jet pilot reported a shocking sight before ejecting from his aircraft. He claimed to have seen multiple Iranian drones hovering in the air, moving as one, in a formation that resembled a jellyfish. Such drone swarm manoeuvres are only possible with the help of high-tech communication between drones and the use of artificial intelligence.

The cyber front

Artificial intelligence is also changing warfare beyond the physical battlefield. Modern cyber operations rely heavily on speed. AI systems can identify software vulnerabilities, detect malicious network activity and respond to cyberattacks in seconds rather than minutes or hours.

Conversely, hostile actors are beginning to use AI to automate phishing campaigns, create convincing fake identities and generate sophisticated disinformation at unprecedented scale.

AI-generated audio and video that can convincingly imitate real individuals has emerged as a growing security concern. Military experts fear such content could be used to impersonate political leaders, spread false military orders, or undermine public confidence during times of crisis.

The future of warfare

Artificial intelligence is unlikely to replace soldiers entirely. Instead, it is expected to serve as a force multiplier, enhancing the capabilities of military personnel rather than replacing them outright.

Future conflicts may involve remote teams of human operators working alongside autonomous drones, robotic ground vehicles and AI-assisted command systems. Military success will increasingly depend not only on troop numbers or weapon stockpiles but also on computing power, software innovation and access to high-quality data.

Artificial intelligence may also reshape military recruitment, training and defence industries, creating demand for software engineers, data scientists and cybersecurity specialists alongside traditional military roles.

AI offers greater precision, faster decision-making and improved protection for military personnel, but it also introduces new risks involving accountability, cybersecurity, misinformation and the potential erosion of human control over the use of force.

As governments continue to invest heavily in military AI, one question remains unresolved: whether this technology will ultimately make future wars shorter and more precise or faster, more complex and harder to contain. The answer may shape not only the next generation of warfare, but the future of international security itself.

Preparing Pakistan for the AI age

The Indus RAS Expo showed that Pakistan has started taking artificial intelligence and robotics seriously. That is encouraging, but this exhibition is only the first step. The real challenge is turning that momentum into long-term investment, research and innovation.

Countries around the world are investing heavily in AI because they recognise that future economic growth and national security will increasingly depend on technology. Pakistan cannot afford to be left behind. Developing indigenous AI solutions is not just about reducing dependence on foreign technology. It is about building local expertise, creating high-value jobs and ensuring that critical technologies are developed with our own needs in mind.

This effort cannot be left to government alone. Universities, technology companies, startups and the defence sector all have a role to play. Universities should be encouraged to carry out more applied research, while industry should help turn promising ideas into products that can be used in both civilian and defence sectors. Stronger partnerships between researchers and manufacturers will ensure that innovation does not remain confined to laboratories.

Just as important is investing in people. Pakistan has one of the youngest populations in the world, and that is a strength if it is matched with the right opportunities. More technology exhibitions, robotics competitions and AI innovation challenges should be organised across Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Mirpur, Gilgit and other major cities. These events expose students to new ideas, connect them with industry and often inspire careers that begin with a simple demonstration or conversation.

The countries that lead in AI will not necessarily be those with the largest armies, but those with the strongest research institutions, the most skilled engineers and the ability to turn ideas into practical solutions.

Pakistan has the talent to be part of that future. The task now is to provide young innovators with the opportunities, resources and confidence to build it.

The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners.