AI, Automation and War

by Anthony King

Anthony King's AI, Automation, and War: The Rise of a Military-Tech Complex showcases how war is changing and being adapted with the advancement of new technologies in the case of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  Having served in the Military, King draws on his knowledge and experience of this area and provides a detailed overview of autonomous weapons and robotic combat.

Initially, King starts the book referencing the movie Terminator, which was an iconic movie that started back in 1984.  He portrays how these weapons have manifested themselves and although not quite as realistic as the movie, we are relying on Computers and Tech with AI to process more battlefield and combat data than ever before.

King argues within his literature that AI is not a replacement for human decision making in war, but more of an aid to it – comprising of surveillance, data analysis, and target acquisition.  These systems can process great amounts of data providing even great oversight and battle picture than ever before.  King however, points out that human judgement must remain pivotal to any key decisions made, especially where ethical and political considerations are paramount.

A key element of the literature is the concept of a ‘military-tech complex’ focussing on defence departments becoming more reliant on civilian technologists as specialists in their own right.  This changes the aspect of warfare where the soldier may become reliant on the specialists as an enabler for them to carry out their tasks or missions.

King does highlight the need for accountability, transparency and the potential for unintended consequences when decisions are influenced by opaque algorithms.  It is highlighted that there must be robust oversight and governance for the use of AI in a military context.  This showcases the issue that the rapid pace of innovation may outstrip the development of appropriate safeguards.

The basis of the book appears more about Western militaries and focuses on the high-level aspects of AI rather than the workings or decision making of this technology.  The literature however is extremely thought provoking as to how warfare may change, develop or be enhanced.  Kings writing style is neither overbearing or complex turning complex ideas into an easy to understand read and should be read policymakers, military professionals, technologists, and scholars interested in the intersection of warfare and emerging technologies. It is a stark reminder that while machines may change how wars are fought; the ethical and strategic choices remain firmly in human hands.

Mat Gardam

Published by: Princeton University Press; 19 Aug. 2025. 240

pages. ISBN-13: 978-0691265148