Ukraine does not want to be left behind in the development of weapons, even though it still has problems keeping up with Russia. Therefore, various Ukrainian companies are looking for ways to take their nation one step ahead. The use of AI is presented as an initiative that is already being put into practice and that could open the doors to change for the country.
Recently, the New York Times has carried out an investigative work, observing in person how a Ukrainian company and various soldiers and specialists test what could be the weaponry of the most immediate future of Ukraine. Above all, drones stand out, something that you may have already imagined given the importance they have had lately. But, in addition, there is a commitment to introducing artificial intelligence into the equation.
Vyriy holds the keys to the future
Vyriy is the name of one of the Ukrainian companies working to improve the equipment that their country can use in the fight against Russia. It is specified that it is only one of the companies, since there are several entities and teams that are working in parallel with similar objectives. Although with shortcomings, Ukraine wants to make it clear that it has many projects in development with which it could surprise in the not too distant future.
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Ukraine experiments with AI-driven drones ‼️
Video from the Ukrainian drone Saker Scout based on artificial intelligence.
Drones have already struck the Russians several times. to the troops. The video shows the process of target recognition. https://t.co/jWerlyxKaT
January 25, 2024 • 08:04
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AI-controlled drones are the latest trend. They represent a drastic change, as they mean that there doesn’t even need to be a pilot operating them remotely. This is a radical change in a minimal amount of time, as we have hardly ever gotten used to having drones on the battlefield that are controlled remotely. Now, these operators will no longer be needed as the drones will be able to act independently based on the programming they have been given.
Drones with independent judgment
In Ukraine, specialists working on this technology say that they have been forced to surpass themselves and push the limits of AI to the maximum level due to the pressure they are under. They know that their country needs the weapons and that they do not have time to waste. That is why the different teams working on drone production do not rest and seek to improve their machines as quickly as possible. They all agree on a global vision that they have their sights set on: that hordes of drones will fly through the skies, seek out their enemies and shoot them effectively.
They see the viability of this plan because they know that the drones will be able to operate with extreme precision and at the same time it will mean that they will not be exposing their soldiers to losing their lives. They also see it as a solution to many of their weapons problems, since these drones are made from very cheap components. In fact, this is probably one of Russia’s greatest fears, because it knows that Ukraine can continue to manufacture cheap drones without stopping, which it can then use on the battlefield.
AI would be in charge of defining objectives, maneuvering and creating routines that would allow drones to change the flow of combat. Ukrainian experts are aware that the use of AI on the battlefield will entail a series of moral implications and problems that they will have to face in the future. But, right now, all that is secondary. All they want is to defend their territory and, as they say, they need to automate as much as possible. The minister of digital transformation has said “these technologies are fundamental for our victory.”
For now, AI-powered autonomous drones are already being used in combat, but in most cases a remote pilot is still required to mark the target to be attacked. In other cases, drones are being used to intercept signals or as kamikaze teams that crash into various types of installations. But all of these models can be understood as a first phase of urgency in the use of drones.
Ukraine wants drones to stay in the air, to be able to be sent on well-organised missions and to make their own decisions when the time comes to open fire. The hope is that, due to the pressure they are under, these development teams will not make any mistakes in the way they design their autonomous drones. With them, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, it is obvious that they could change everything. But at the same time, they will also have to be careful about how they deploy them within their military.
