How Australia's defence force is turning AI into a 'silicon commander'
The Australian Defence Force is integrating autonomous systems like the 'Ghost Bat' aircraft and 'Ghost Shark' submarine into its military operations. These AI-driven platforms represent a shift toward autonomous warfare, prompting the government to seek guidance on ethical guardrails.
Why it matters
The adoption of autonomous lethal weapons raises significant ethical and strategic questions regarding the role of human oversight in modern warfare.
The Ghost Bat is autonomous and a peek into the future of warfare. ( Supplied: Australian Department of Defence )
Link copied Share Share article In the weeks before Christmas last year, high over the remote desert of South Australia, a small slice of aviation and AI history was made.
The Ghost Bat — an Australian-made aircraft, about two-thirds the size of a regular fighter jet — shot down a target with an air-to-air missile.
The Ghost Bat is autonomous. There is no human controlling it from a cockpit, nor a drone pilot on land behind a joystick.
It is a glimpse into the future of warfare, with artificial intelligence playing a far greater role in how militaries prepare, plan and carry out strikes.
The Ghost Shark, like its air counterpart, is also adopting artificial intelligence. ( Supplied: Australian Department of Defence )
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