The Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) has recently incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into its wargaming exercises to improve crisis response strategies. This move highlights the growing role of AI in military operations. The exercise was held at SETAF-AF headquarters in Vicenza, Italy, focusing on enhancing deployment readiness.
The wargaming exercise employed Maven, the Pentagon’s AI project that started in 2017, to improve military planning. Robin Kuo, a SETAF-AF strategist, noted that AI aids in organizing information, answering doctrinal questions, and creating simulation prototypes. AI is designed to streamline data management and accelerate decision-making.
Details of the exercise remain limited, but the Army described it as a way to test the command’s response to crises. The event followed a traditional military exercise format, with teams using maps and pieces to simulate responses. These teams focused on operational tasks while facilitators presented challenges for them to address.
The exercise also explored the potential consequences of AI disruptions, emphasizing the need for flexibility during crises. Kuo raised concerns about the risks if AI systems were targeted by adversaries. He stressed that decision-making data should be driven by human judgment, even in a data-heavy environment.
Kuo, drawing on his background in user experience design, aimed to improve Maven’s accessibility for participants. Understanding how users interact with interfaces helps create more intuitive tools, promoting engagement in wargaming.
AI’s role in military wargaming is changing the landscape. Traditional simulations were costly and resource-intensive, but AI can process large datasets, generate dynamic scenarios, and provide in-depth post-game analysis. The Air Force has recently requested AI-driven wargames for simulating high-stress conflict conditions.
Despite its benefits, experts caution against over-dependence on AI. Researchers from RAND Corporation warned that while AI can enhance wargaming, it should not replace human judgment. They cautioned that an over-reliance on AI could lead to faulty decision-making, known as the “dangerous mirage of knowledge.”
The Army’s integration of AI into its wargames shows how technology can complement human judgment. As global threats evolve, balancing advanced tools with human expertise is key to maintaining effective military decision-making.
