Deploying AI in defense organizations

In the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has become increasingly widespread. AI is changing how individuals perform their jobs, interact with one another, learn, and make decisions. At the same time, organizations’ operational and business decision-making environments have been rapidly changing, with AI now enabling a growing number of decisions.  

AI also has potentially significant implications for national security and defense organizations. Many nations are investing in developing AI applications for a range of military functions. AI research is underway in the fields of intelligence collection and analysis, logistics, cyber operations, information operations, command and control, and for use in a variety of semiautonomous and autonomous vehicles. In fact, AI has already been incorporated into real-world military operations globally (including in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria).  

AI has fundamentally altered how we think about, plan for, implement, and engage with IT systems. 

While AI-enabled solutions present considerable opportunities for defense organizations to improve mission effectiveness, integrating these capabilities into operational environments introduces unique challenges and risks. To better understand how defense organizations internationally are using AI and AI-enabled solutions and how this technology will shape the industry and military operations going forward, the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) surveyed 250 technology leaders from global defense organizations.  

In addition to sharing insights on plans and strategies, as well as identifying opportunities and challenges, the surveyed defense leaders were asked to take a deep dive into related topics. These ranged from enabling cultures of innovation and experimentation, to the ethical applications of AI in defense, to the role of ecosystem partners in developing and delivering AI capability. Together, the executives painted a picture of their organizations’ progress and plans to date, as well as opportunities for leveraging AI in the future.  

In this research brief, we explore the state of AI planning, adoption, and the strategic importance to future mission success. We also look at mission and function areas where defense leaders expect AI to drive value for their organizations.  

The state of AI adoption: From the laboratory to the sandbox 

Our research found that AI adoption is currently widespread across defense organizations globally. When we asked about their organizations’ present state of AI adoption, leaders from all 250 defense organizations surveyed say they’re at least considering its use. While all have declared plans to adopt AI, half of the organizations have already implemented AI solutions, and another quarter have pilot projects underway. About a quarter of organizations indicate they’re still stuck in the planning and evaluation phases.  

During the roundtable discussion, participants identified several barriers to entry, as well as challenges that have hindered the progress of AI initiatives and the ability to scale them into production. They pointed to technical challenges (such as data quality and availability), capability gaps (such as access to skills), and change management issues (including education, awareness, and stakeholder buy-in).  

73% of defense leaders say AI will be very or extremely important to their organizations’ strategies in the next 3 years.

While AI is clearly a strategically important technology for many defense organizations today, many more see it as a critical capability in the future. Fewer than half (45%) of surveyed leaders indicate AI is very or extremely important to their organizations’ strategy today. However, when they’re asked about the importance of AI to their organizations’ strategies in the next 3 years, that percentage jumps to 73%.  

Moreover, the percentage of respondents who expect AI to be extremely important to their strategy increases fivefold, from 5% today to 28% in 3 years’ time. And those organizations that recognize the importance of AI to their strategy are leading the implementation campaign. Nearly 3 in 4 leaders from organizations that have executed AI solutions consider AI critical to their strategy today.  

AI adoption status: 49% of defense organizations have already implemented AI solutions 

Read the full report to see how AI is helping defense organizations deliver on their mission—and where AI adoption is expected to make the biggest impact.