The factor of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in modern military conflicts

Abstract

Against the backdrop of geopolitical processes taking place in the world, when the nature of wars and conflicts is rapidly changing, the dimension of threats is increasing, all this is further complicated by the threats and challenges arising from cyberspace. Cybersecurity has become an integral part of the international security system, as it includes all areas of the state's national security. In modern times, artificial intelligence plays an important role in various fields, which can be used both positively and negatively. Especially in the process of conducting information warfare. State and non-state actors actively use artificial intelligence to pursue their interests, however, as for the realization of their interests, this depends on technological, financial and human resources. An analysis of conflicts in the 21st century shows that cybersecurity and information warfare are an integral part of all wars and conflicts. This is clearly demonstrated by military conflicts and processes unfolding in various regions of the world in the modern era. The growing potential of artificial intelligence, not only in the military sphere, is spreading to all other areas, giving it a very wide range of activities in cyberspace. This, accordingly, directly impacts the cybersecurity and defense capability of states, non-state actors, corporations, and individuals. Artificial intelligence technologies are actively being implemented in the acquisition, processing, and analysis of intelligence information, and are also used in the management of logistics and autonomous systems. Artificial intelligence has long been a means of processing enormous volumes of data in real time. It is being implemented in drone control, which has already been actively tested in several wars, such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Russia-Ukraine War. Events in the Middle East and the processes in Ukraine have also directly demonstrated the enormous capabilities and potential of artificial intelligence in the use of autonomous weapons and drones. Processing vast amounts of analytical information using artificial intelligence allows states to determine the right strategies and tactics in the event of a conflict. When discussing cybersecurity, it should be noted that all states require resilient and secure systems. In modern conflicts, cybersecurity is not passive, but encompasses a continuous spectrum of various operations. For states, cybersecurity focuses on both defensive and offensive capabilities, which can include attacks on critical infrastructure or other important political, civilian, and military targets, as well as the proprietary and personal information of high-ranking officials. Before a conflict or large-scale war, states study the enemy state's vulnerabilities in cyberspace, as well as its critical infrastructure. Protecting critical infrastructure is a particularly problematic issue when adversaries use artificial intelligence, as it provides them with significant potential and capabilities for direct cyberattacks. This significantly weakens the security of critical infrastructure, although it should be noted that states with significant resources to exploit the potential of artificial intelligence also use this system for security purposes. At the same time, in the context of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, information warfare, which is a concomitant process of all military conflicts or wars, is an important area. Before a military conflict or war, there is always covert and overt information warfare between the opposing sides, during which propaganda and disinformation are actively used to gain a psychological advantage over the enemy and demoralize the population.  The aim of the paper is to present and analyze the role of artificial intelligence in military conflicts. As well as the factor of cybersecurity, which plays an important role in the conduct of modern wars. The paper discusses the importance of cybersecurity in the Russian-Ukrainian war and the growing potential of artificial intelligence in military conflicts. The paper focuses on information warfare and asymmetric threats, which represent a significant challenge to the national security of states. The study utilized historical-descriptive, political, content, comparative, and SWOT analyses. The theoretical framework draws on realist theory, balance of power, securitization theory, and constructivist theory to analyze the research question. In conclusion, it should be noted that artificial intelligence is increasingly playing a significant role in modern military conflicts, and without it, future wars will be impossible, as it provides warring parties with greater capabilities and combat potential. Therefore, the role of cybersecurity for states is crucial, given the new digital reality.