We joined DIGITALEUROPE, the leading digital technology industry association representing over 45,000 digital companies in Europe, at the REAIM 2023 Summit. Alongside 2500 attendees, including 80 government representatives, from 100 different countries, across 2 days of high-level sessions, breakout sessions, AI demonstrations, and more, we shared knowledge and discussed the all-important topic of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military operations.
It’s become clear AI is present in all facets of our lives. With this, industry and governments also have to confront the role it plays in peace and war, the responsibility it brings, and the regulations needed to control it. And that’s why REAIM was such an important event, as it brought together these parties to collaborate and problem-solve.
If you couldn’t join us and DIGITALEUROPE at REAIM, here is a look into some of what we covered together.
The importance of AI security
The real-time insights we can get from AI-powered systems can help reduce the risk of civilian casualties and can improve the effectiveness of military operations. But things can also go the other way: a new kind of AI attack has emerged, where AI engines are hacked to deliver the wrong, and potentially life-threatening information. That’s why safety and security has to be a priority when this kind of technology is used on the battlefield and in pre-confrontation situations.
There are cybersecurity solutions and industry collaborations which could improve the security of these AI-powered systems. When we problem-solved this challenge with DIGITALEUROPE, a possible solution became apparent: working together to develop security measures that protect the AI engines powering them. Through our combined resources, as well as partnering with organisations like NATO, we could work to implement encryption, monitoring, redundancy, regular updates and more, protecting the systems from being compromised, stopping the spread of misinformation, and potentially saving lives.
The need for a global approach to AI governance
Attendees agreed that we need to take a global approach to AI governance – one that doesn’t undermine international security. In our joint panel discussion with DIGITALEUROPE, we recognised the importance of international collaboration when it comes to AI development in the military space. International collaboration can help share knowledge, resources, and best practices, and ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a responsible and ethical way.
This was high up on the agenda at the event, and the government representatives who were there agreed. A positive outcome was a joint call to action on the responsible development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military domain, for defining future next steps.
Defence at the speed of AI
In our discussion with Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl from DIGITALEUROPE, we explored how using innovative technologies can help improve remote connections with minimal lagging, enabling better military training simulations and more. Collaboration is key within this space, and it’s why we’ve partnered up with DIGITALEUROPE to help shape its future responsibly and innovatively. Through shared thought leadership and the development of smart security measures, we can collectively work to minimise the spread of misinformation and disinformation, ensuring the trust of citizens in the EU and globally. We’re keen to see how this year unfolds, following the joint call to action and the recognition of a need for collaboration across industry, the EU, and the world.
If you want to see more of what went on at REAIM 2023, watch the highlights here.
