The Pentagon quietly legalized AI for target selection: a new doctrine changes the rules of war
The U.S. Department of Defense approved an updated doctrine for the use of artificial intelligence in military operations in April. The document, which is not classified but was not published for public access, radically expands the role of AI on the battlefield.
The key change is the official recognition of "combat systems where AI initiates actions under human monitoring." This is a fundamentally different level of autonomy compared to previous versions of the doctrine. In effect, algorithms gain the right to launch processes, while humans remain merely observers.
The document explicitly states that the speed of modern conflicts and the progress of adversaries in the field of AI may force the U.S. to create "fully autonomous systems." The main goal is to shorten the "sensor-to-shooter" cycle and accelerate the tempo of operations. Neural networks are now tasked not just with processing intelligence data, but with cross-platform correlation to build a comprehensive picture of the battle, as well as assisting in decision-making and risk management.
Notably, the doctrine includes sections on "reducing harm to civilian populations." However, the Pentagon also acknowledges the flip side: excessive reliance on algorithms creates "serious moral and legal dilemmas." An appendix to the document specifically emphasizes that automation does not replace human thinking and communication.
An official representative of the department stated that humans always remain informed of important operational decisions, and AI technologies do not allow for autonomous target selection or strike execution. However, the phrasing "under human monitoring" leaves room for interpretation.
Coinciding with the leak of the doctrine, the Pentagon announced the launch of a "network of AI agents" for battle management. As noted by Chief Digital and AI Officer Cameron Stanley, this network will provide commanders with faster access to quality information while keeping human judgment at the center of every decision.
Recall that back in 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called lethal autonomous systems "politically unacceptable," and in June, the Pentagon reported a 1775% increase in AI adoption among its personnel.
My comment: The market has not yet realized the scale of this shift. Legalizing AI in target designation is not just a bureaucratic act, but a signal for the entire defense tech industry. We will see explosive demand for computer vision algorithms and real-time systems, as well as inevitable tightening of regulations by the UN. Investors should take a closer look at companies developing secure AI solutions for the military sector — this will become the new mainstream for the next 5 years.