AI & Strategy Agenda

09:50 - 10:30

AI and Machine Learning are just the newest in a series of developments creating effective multi domain integration and awareness. It is vital that all front-line commands begin to develop this, with optimised capability systems that encompass both current and future capabilities, to maintain operational advantage. How do we ensure this? Hugh Smith from The Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC), who produce future horizon-scanning, concepts and doctrine, which are underpinned by evidence-based research and experimentation, will be tackling this pressing question.

Moderator:

• Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Gary Waterfall, Senior Defence Advisor, Clarion Defence & Security

Speaker:

• Air Commodore Hugh Smith, Head of Doctrine, Development, Concepts and Doctrine Center, MoD

10:35 - 11:35

Authoritarian regimes have an advantage over liberal democracies when producing AI, as they have less constraint and more control over the narratives throughout their society. If our adversaries are using this technology freely, what are the lines they can cross that we can’t, and what do we do about it? How can democratic societies gain the upper hand against authoritarian societies when implementing AI into the battlefield, whilst upholding ethical values and democratic principles?

Moderator:

• Tom Constable, Co-Host, Warfighter Podcast and Officer (retd.), British Army

 

Speakers:

• Kulani Abendroth-Dias, Project Manager for AI Initiatives, Global Partnership on AI
• Rania Toukebri, Aerospace Engineer, Space Generation Advisory Council, International Astronautical Federation, Tunisia

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11:40 - 12:30

The systematic challenges posed by an AI-led society are vast. As AI is learning data created by human beings, there is a risk that human bias will be constructed into the AIs algorithmic process, such as discrimination and stereotypes that exist in the human cognitive prejudice. Translating human action into data involves a range of human interpretation and decision-making stages, which could result in an algorithmic bias. Unconscious bias going into AI programming can provoke unnecessary conflict that could be avoided. As the defence industry continues to adopt the ethos of diversity and inclusivity, how can we make sure individual voices are heard, equal rights are not compromised and that the governance of AI is trusted by all?

Moderator:

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Speakers:

• Henrik Skaug Sætra, Head of the Digital Society, Ostfold University
• Adam Svendsen, Professor and Strategist, International Intelligence and Defence, University of Salamanca

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13:05 - 13:30

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Speakers:

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13:40 - 14:30

In all front line commands, operations are expected to excel with the assistance of AI, improving self-regulation, self-control and self-actuation. What strategies are governments and industry developing to protect our national interests using AI and big data? What happens in critical situations when AI systems are made fully autonomous? How can Defence ensure it is striking the correct balance between human interface and automated decisions?

Moderator:

• Colin Demarest, Networks, Cyber and Electronic Warfare Reporter, C4ISRNET

 

Speakers:

• Mini Chakravarthini Rai, Professor and Global Chair in Robotic Engineering, Head of Space Research, University of Lincoln
• Thomas Withington, Electronic Warfare, Radar and Military Communications Specialist, RUSI
• Colonel Timothy Wright, Army Futures

14:35-15:25

AI weapons systems have raised a number of concerns as they become more advanced, with campaigns calling for more humanity and less autonomy. The use of AI amongst the front line commands have led to concerns around human error and algorithmic error. There have been difficult questions posed to the defence sector in recent years, such as what happens in critical situations when AI systems are made fully autonomous? And are we letting machines make traditionally human-led decisions? When the stakes are so high, how can defence ensure it is striking a balance between human interface and automated decisions?

Moderator:

• Alexi Drew, Technology Policy Adviser, International Committee of the Red Cross

 

Speakers:

• Dr Simona R Soare, Lead On Defence and Emerging Technology, The International Institute for Strategic Studies
• Dr Joe Burton, Associate Lecturer, University of St Andrews and Visiting Researcher at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence
• Dr Junayd Miah, Principal Space Scientist, Dstl, Science Adviser, UK Space Command

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15:30- 15:55

Moderator:

• Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Gary Waterfall, Senior Defence Advisor, Clarion Defence & Security

 

Speaker:

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