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The U.S. Is Already Fighting The World's First AI War—And China Is Winning
In February 2024, Google officially dropped its commitment not to develop AI for weapons. The shift is a signal that private companies are now seeing this technology as inevitable for military applications—and this decision could allow the U.S. To accelerate its AI weapons programs. However, America and China are locked in a global arms race when it comes to artificial intelligence supremacy in warfare, and by many measures, China is pulling ahead. Whether or not America can match China's speed at developing such programs remains unclear.
On March 5, China escalated rhetoric in response to U.S. Tariffs, announcing that the country is prepared to fight America in "any other type of war" and that "we're ready to fight till the end," the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. Posted on X. That phrasing suggests a broader definition of warfare which extends beyond conventional conflict.
According to a 2020 Brookings Institution report, China had already been investing in AI weapons systems for years. At the time, analysts were still speculating about the country's plans. Then, National Security News reported in June 2024 that China could have fully autonomous AI weapons on the battlefield within two years.
Both China and the United States have been testing AI-powered combat systems in recent years. In October 2024, Military.Com reported that the U.S. Army had sent an armed "robot dog" to the Middle East for testing. The Quadrupedal-Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Q-UGV), developed with AI-powered targeting, was seen as a major step forward. China, however, demonstrated that same technology at their Golden Dragon joint military drills in Cambodia—months earlier.
America is producing other autonomous machine guns too, but with limited battlefield testing. For example, defense technology company Allen Control Systems has developed a large autonomous machine gun platform, the "Bullfrog," that uses AI to shoot down drones.
But the impending showdown between global superpowers using AI-enabled strategies has been building for a while. In a 2019 report by the United States Military Academy at West Point, its Director of Research and Strategy, Gordon Cooke, Ph.D., wrote that AI would soon play a central role in battlefield decision-making, warning that "the ability to integrate AI into weapons systems could fundamentally change the balance of power."
That's because, while autonomous weapons like robotic sentries and AI-powered drones are the most visible forms of AI-driven warfare, they are only part of a larger strategy.
China's military considers AI a way to process, analyze, and exploit information faster than human decision-makers, according to a 2023 report from the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). "China sees AI playing a central role in advancing its military power," Jacob Stokes, a Senior Fellow at CNAS, wrote in the document. "In the dynamic environment of an actual conflict, identifying and targeting U.S. Vulnerabilities will require sensing, relaying, and processing vast amounts of information at a speed only computers can match." This suggests that AI's role in warfare is not just about who has the best autonomous weapons—it is also about who can use AI to make decisions faster than their adversary.
Russia, another AI military power and an ally of China, appears to be pursuing a different approach. Russia's AI military strategy focuses on disabling an adversary's command-and-control systems rather than focusing on AI-powered combat weapons, a 2021 report from Chatham House explains. These linked computer systems are usually heavily encrypted, but with artificial intelligence code-breaking, they could be disrupted in a way that disables military equipment or causes it to malfunction.
Russia and China are deepening their alliance, but the United States does not yet appear to have many AI-inspired military friendships.
The U.S. Remains a global leader in AI research. Yet, the slow-moving nature of private defense contracts and a Wall Street mentality of profit-driven decision-making has been hampering its approach to military AI. The U.S. Air Force is one of the few branches aggressively pushing AI integration. The "Air Force's Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the United States Air Force" initiative is advancing an AI-powered cognitive engine designed to speed up decision-making in combat scenarios, Airman Magazine reported in 2024. The use of machine learning models "could anticipate threats and inform decision-making processes with unprecedented precision," according to the article.
Unlike China, which can integrate AI military advances into its state-run defense sector rapidly and without much bureaucratic red tape, the United States relies on partnerships with private firms like Google, OpenAI, and Palantir. American companies must weigh financial and public relations concerns before engaging in military contracts. Most American big-tech firms that the federal government relies on for AI integration are not themselves hardware manufacturers of defense equipment. On the other hand, China, Russia, and other American adversaries can prototype and then release new technologies onto the battlefield faster, creating potential ethical dilemmas in conflict scenarios.
The future of autonomous weapons systems has already seen shocking outcomes. For example, in March 2020 an autonomous drone in Libya, the Turkish-made Kargu-2 quadcopter, killed a human being—without any input from a human operator. The incident occurred during a conflict between Libyan government forces and a breakaway military faction led by the Libyan National Army. It reignited ongoing concerns in the U.S. And other countries about how much human oversight AI-powered weapons should have. The killing was a potential first in warfare, in which an attack drone designed to provide tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for ground troops struck with no apparent human control.
Meanwhile, countries with great military power continue to create autonomous weapons for battle. If the future of war is built around AI, then the world needs to proceed with caution.
Compared to traditional warfare, AI warfare is insidious; it's difficult to define, and even harder to detect. China's "any other type of war" statement suggests an awareness that modern fights will not always take place on a conventional battlefield.
But make no mistake—we are already in the first AI war. It is not just a race for better drones or automated weapons. It is a war of information, decision-making, and battlefield intelligence. AI will not just change how we fight wars—it will change how wars are won.
➡️ Learn MoreMatthew Berman holds a B.A. In Philosophy from Temple University. Originally from Philadelphia, Matthew specializes in analyzing global events through the lens of ethics, world religions, and linguistic rhetoric. His academic studies give him a deep understanding of how human ideologies shape practical matters like national defense, political strategy, and public discourse. By drawing on connections between diverse philosophical traditions and contemporary issues, he is able to provide fresh insights into the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and societal impact. His work reflects a commitment to exploring complex issues with clarity and depth, making them accessible and relevant to a broad audience. More about Matt Berman at https://www.Mattske.Com/
The Strategic Stakes Of Modi's U.S. Visit: Shaping The Future Of Warfare
The future of warfare will be defined by artificial intelligence (AI) driven autonomy, next-generation defense systems, and secure supply chains for critical minerals and energy. In a signal of their increasingly close and strategic partnership, India and the United States are positioning themselves at the forefront of this transformation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States was not just another routine diplomatic engagement but a deliberate acceleration of our defense partnership and also an acknowledgement of the importance of this new frontier. As Washington and New Delhi move beyond traditional defense cooperation, the visit cemented their mutual commitment to shaping the next era of global security.
The Evolution of Our Defense and Security Ties
Defense has long been the most visible pillar of India-U.S. Relations and an area where the two sides have achieved the most rapid progress. Despite India's historic reliance on Russia for security, bilateral defense trade has come a long way from being near zero just over a decade ago to an impressive multi-billion-dollar pipeline. Today, India is trying to reduce its dependence on Russia and operates some of the most advanced U.S. Military platforms, including the C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft, P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, Chinook and MH-60R and Apache helicopters, and the MQ-9B drones. The two countries are planning to collaborate on co-production and co-development of some of the most complex technologies, like jet engines. The visit took this positive trajectory forward and officially announced two more co-production projects, Javelin anti-tank missile and Stryker armored vehicles.
Further, in a significant policy shift, the United States is reviewing its policy to offer F35 and undersea systems to India, which could accelerate the shift away from Russia. One of the most advanced and coveted fifth-generation aircraft, the F35 is only offered to some of the closest U.S. Allies like Israel, Italy, Japan, UK, Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and South Korea. A whole host of nations are currently awaiting deliveries. While it is uncertain how seriously India is considering the proposal, and how much indigenous content an Indian F35 version would, it is still a strong signal of intent to continue to deepen interoperability and reach new heights.
While Modi was in Washington, Ultra Maritime, a U.S. Company, also finalized an agreement with Indian state-owned enterprise Bharat Dynamics Limited to jointly produce sonobuoys. Sonobuoys are expendable sonar devices that are primarily used for anti-submarine warfare. India has historically bought sonobuoys from the United States but the two countries will now work together to produce these for India.
A New Military AI Push
President Trump and Prime Minister Modi launched several new technology initiatives, including Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology for the 21st Century (COMPACT) and Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST). While many contend that these initiatives represent a repackaging of the Biden-era Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), there are nonetheless real new opportunities to explore military AI applications like never before and advance future warfare solutions through an industry-led approach.
The newly-announced U.S.-India roadmap on AI infrastructure is not just about economic or commercial applications—it will have direct defense implications. AI is already transforming military operations, from autonomous drones and battlefield analytics to cybersecurity, persistent surveillance, and real-time intelligence processing. With China aggressively advancing in AI and quantum computing, creating a regulatory framework consistent with democratic principles is also a strategic necessity.
The newly announced Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) initiative is a step in the right direction, ensuring that India and the United States co-develop AI-powered surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance systems for the Indo-Pacific theater. Companies like Anduril and Mahindra will create AI-driven maritime systems capable of enhancing undersea warfare and drone-swarming capabilities.
The Critical Role of Minerals
Fielding next-generation AI capabilities will require not just software innovation but the availability of critical minerals that power advanced computing systems. The launch of a new India-U.S. Strategic Mineral Recovery Initiative is directly tied to this. Supplies of rare earth elements like lithium and cobalt—essential for semiconductors, batteries, and AI hardware—are currently monopolized by China, which dominates over 80% of the global rare earth supply chain. If India and the United States succeed in diversifying these supply chains, it will not only secure commercial electronics production but also safeguard the future of military AI systems.
Nuclear Energy and AI's Computational Power Needs
Beyond minerals, AI-driven defense systems require massive computational power, and nuclear energy is emerging as a key enabler. AI models, particularly those used in military simulations, cybersecurity, and real-time battlefield analysis, require high-performance computing infrastructure that consumes enormous amounts of energy.
If their ambitions are realized, the India-U.S. Partnership on civil nuclear cooperation, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation nuclear power technologies, could play a critical role in sustaining AI-driven military applications. A reliable, secure energy base is necessary for the future of hypersonic weapons, autonomous combat vehicles, and AI-directed command and control systems. If India successfully scales its nuclear energy program with U.S. Collaboration, it will enable long-term, uninterrupted AI advancements in the defense sector.
Meanwhile, U.S. Natural gas exports to India are booming and there are opportunities to substantially increase these volumes in the years ahead. In 2024, Indian imports of U.S. Gas soared nearly 70% over imports in 2023, reaching record highs. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently suggested India intends to surge oil and gas imports from the U.S. To $25 billion from $15 billion in 2023.
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington was replete with new initiatives and ambitious announcements. But the underlying push to collaborate more deeply on AI and energy may prove the most consequential of all, shaping the future of both countries' defense strategies and the future of warfare.
China Explores Military Applications With Deepseek
- Asia Times) DeepSeek's artificial intelligence (AI) model can be used in various military applications, from controlling unmanned
to giving commands, according to a white paper recently published by Chongqing Landship Information Technology, an autonomous driving solution provider.
Landship said DeepSeek has excellent potential in military use, such as command, communications, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
"In military strategic planning, DeepSeek can conduct in-depth analysis of massive intelligence information and provide military commanders with accurate decision-making support," it said."DeepSeek has powerful language understanding and generation capabilities, allowing it to adapt to battlefield tasks quickly."
Landship added that DeepSeek could collaborate with satellites, radars, and drones to improve the efficiency and accuracy of military reconnaissance. It can quickly identify key military targets from satellite images and estimate their sizes and numbers, supporting military decision-making.
Landship, formerly Beijing Landship Information Technology Co Ltd, was co-founded in 2012 by Zhang Dezhao and several other autonomous driving experts from Tsinghua University.
In 2015, the same team founded Beijing Zhixingzhe Technology Co, or IDriverPlus, to develop self-driving solutions, including a product called IDriverBrain.
IDriverPlus and Landship brand their products as Xingji, which means"star horse" (or Qianlima - a mythical horse that can run very fast) in Chinese.
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Trump tariffs could be bargaining chip or economic bomb Landship said on February 27 that it has deployed DeepSeek in a self-driving military vehicle called Xingji P60. It displayed the vehicle at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi from February 17 to 21.
The company said the P60 integrated Landship's civil-use self-driving software and DeepSeek's military-use large language models (LLMs) to achieve efficient information processing and decision-making in complex and changing environments. LLMs refer to AI models like ChatGPT, which can understand human language.
IDriverPlus' Chief Technology Officer and Landship's General Manager Wang Xiao said the company hopes to lead new trends in the defense sector by offering high-performance products at affordable costs.
According to online footage, the vehicle was not called P60 but CS/VP16B at the exhibition. It was shown at the booth of Norinco, or China North Industries Corporation, a state-owned defense and technology company.
Last October, IDriverPlus signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Harbin No.1 Jiqi Manufacture Group Company Ltd, a unit of Norinco, to jointly develop all-terrain unnamed rescue vehicles.
Huawei's supportDeepSeek launched its latest AI model, DeepSeek R1, on January 20. It trained the AI model using only 2,000 Nvidia H800 graphic processing units and a low-cost method called"knowledge distillation."
During the distillation, DeepSeek asked a more intelligent chatbot, such as Alibaba's Qwen or OpenAI's ChatGPT, many questions and used the answers to fine-tune its logic to become more intelligent.
DeepSeek R1's debut in late January caused a slump in United States stocks, as investors worried they might have overvalued AI stocks.
Xu Bingjun, a military columnist and a senior researcher with Xinhua Liaowang think tank, praised DeepSeek's low-cost strategy in a recent article titled"How DeepSeek changes military AI and its impact on the United States and Western countries."
"DeepSeek can be applied to intelligent combat systems to significantly improve combat effectiveness by analyzing real-time battlefield situations, optimizing combat plans, and predicting enemy actions," he says in the article.
"With DeepSeek, more autonomous weapons, drones, and unmanned tanks and ships can be developed," he says."These unmanned combat platforms can perform tasks autonomously in complex environments, reducing casualties while improving combat efficiency."
In early February, US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan congressional bill to ban DeepSeek from government devices due to national security concerns. Some states, like New York and Virginia, the US Navy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), have stopped their employees from using DeepSeek on official devices.
Landship said it worked with Huawei Technologies' Mobile Data Center (MDC) to draft its latest White Paper about DeepSeek's potential military applications. It said it hopes to promote using DeepSeek in the military field through cooperation.
The White Paper disclosed Huawei's AI goals for 2025:
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