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OPINION JANUARY 19, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

theses algorithms and models were needs to be harnessed by the human
created for the express purpose of big being who should always be at the
data analysis, such models now have centre of working with the machine
been adopted by countries in their to use the data it analyses to conclude
military infrastructure particularly, which will fit the requirements of
in the performance of their military sound decision-making capabilities.
hardware to increase their overall au- This will be more important
tonomy when deployed. when considering the use of military
A machine with autonomy, ac- weapon systems for any future sce-
cording to definitions (Erskine and nario. As the use of these systems re-
Mowbray, 2023), is the capability of quires precise attention to detail, not
said machine to make decisions and to mention the split-second change
execute them without a human de- in decisions as new information is
cision-maker in the process, based always relayed, humans which can
on the analysis of data which would make these decisions given these and
be too large and varied for humans many more constraints, considering
to parse through in a limited time Militaries across the world will be looking towards any advantage which can help their deci- the many factors at play are some-
frame. From targeting to engaging sion-making processes, even if that entails using machines to harvest large amounts of data thing which no military can ignore.
an adversary, nations are investing At any stage of development, trust-
more in ensuring the autonomy of (Representative/File photo) ing machines to make decisions for
military hardware to be capable of humans is going to prove itself to be
carrying out missions with minimum step as it will enable them to col- ize that use of such weapon systems a detriment to the operational use-
human interference, with the goal lect and analyse data far faster than for combat purposes is part of a do- fulness of any military doctrine, as it
being the automation of the analysis any normal human can. However, main of irregular or hybrid warfare, will not only lead to serious doubts on
of any gathered data and application these ideas miss one key point of the and as such the introduction of ele- the efficacy and ethicality of such sys-
of calculating probable variables and OODA Loop: the loop is developed ments such as Artificial Intelligence tems, but will also lead to questions
vectors and algorithms to determine for decision making. can lead to a further complication in being placed on the human counter-
the most effective method of action. one’s understanding of the intrica- part should anything go wrong. Hav-
This concept of autonomy has al- HUMANITY AS A FEATURE OF cies involved in the decision-making ing a human which can understand
ready seen its possible application in THE LOOP processes underlining any action un- the intricate nature of human society
real-life situations, by international dertaken in the military realm. and the human psyche will be tool of
bodies concerning the use of autono- ne of the main problems with increasing importance as Artificial
mous drones to even conduct target- the introduction of Artificial POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Intelligence becomes an increasingly
ed reconnaissance. OIntelligence and Machine t is however clear, that militaries prevalent facet of a nation’s techno-
This becomes a major concern Learning models into the OODA across the world will be looking logical development.
when speaking of a central aspect in Loop, is the fact that it leads to an Itowards any advantage which
the cycle of decision making known overemphasis on the speed of the de- can help their decision-making pro- CONCLUSION
as the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act livery of data rather than the actual cesses, even if that entails using ma- t is clear from the current speed
Loop (OODA Loop). In basic terms, efficacy of the data in the delivery of chines to harvest large amounts of of development that tools such
the OODA Loop characterizes the one’s objectives. With this emphasis data. While this undertakes its own Ias Artificial Intelligence and Ma-
general decision-making processes on speed, the OODA Loop is short- development, military decision mak- chine Learning models that technol-
used by leaders to understand their ened in terms of the time it needs for ers need to weigh the advantages of ogies aimed at making combat more
environment and decide upon their better and more comprehensive de- giving machines and algorithms too efficient will play an ever-increasing
course of action accordingly. In to- cision-making, with the focus being much control over the decision-mak- role in the overall decision-making
day’s enhanced strategic environ- more on how much data can be anal- ing processes over its disadvantages. capabilities of a nation’s national se-
ment, military leaders must orient ysed rather than the implications this Some of the more developed nations curity infrastructure. However, while
their decisions to better serve the data has on the society and a nation’s are already working towards creating these maybe very useful tools, it is im-
political and cultural environment tactical advantage at large. The in- frameworks which can help guide the portant that the humans at all levels
through careful observation of said herent complexity in the type of data current and future developments in of decision making see these as mere
environment and decide and act required and the calculations needed the integration of Artificial Intelli- tools which cannot and should not re-
upon their decisions in a manner to come to a decision are compound- gence and Machine Learning models place the human and their role in the
which meets their strategic objective ed by the fact that algorithms cannot in their overall defence architecture. overall decision-making processes.
while also looking at the larger pic- understand human nature and the in- Taking a long-term perspective, mil- While Artificial Intelligence and Ma-
ture. tricate nature of human society. Be- itaries looking towards the future chine Learning models can help the
In today’s time, the OODA ing a compilation of algorithms in the can also look at the implementation
Loop has been seen as one which base sense, Artificial Intelligence in of safeguards within their own deci- human decision-maker gain a better
understanding of the on-ground situ-
requires speed for the data it needs the present and near future, does not sion-making capacities to ensure the ation, it will still be up to the human
gathered and analysed for any effi- seem to be capable of understand- human element is never taken out to see the data and compile it with the
cient and comprehensive decision to ing of the broad societal contexts in of the Decide portion of the OODA geopolitical, economic, social, and
be made by anyone. For this purpose, which actions at a geopolitical level Loop. While it would be ideal to have political situation of the target group
militaries across the world are look- can occur, be they military or other- the human element in all stages of the to come to a more rounded and holis-
ing towards incorporating Artificial wise. OODA Loop, the fact remains that tic decision not simply arrived at with
Intelligence and Machine Learning These are some of the current humans can only observe and anal- the use of algorithms.
models into their decision-making, problems associated with the idea of yse a limited amount of information
seeing it as an inevitable necessity to integrating Artificial Intelligence into in any given point amount of time, This article first appeared on the web-
ensure their defence structures do the decision-making structures of the a weakness does not present within site of Centre for Land Warfare Studies
not fall behind of their adversaries. OODA Loop. This becomes decid- machines and algorithms. But this (www.claws.in) on January 6, 2024
Nations see this as the next logical edly more prescient when we real- advantage of Artificial Intelligence

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