– Olabode Agboola.
Throughout history, people have been amazed by the creativity and complexity of early inventions like watches, automobiles, airplanes, computers, industrial machines, ships, and so many more. But when it comes to the brilliance behind the development of AI technology, it truly stands out as something exceptional. Artificial intelligence really has the potential to change everything about how we think, reason, and even exist.
I built my foundation in artificial intelligence through a mix of experiences. I’ve worked directly with AI models, attended conferences to hear from keynote speakers, read a bunch of scholarly articles, connected with thought leaders, and even delivered some presentations myself. I’ve really deepened my understanding by teaching others about AI. So, I’ve got a background that really got me thinking about how AI works and what it can do, including the parts that aren’t often talked about.
Generative AI is one of the popular types out there, while other kinds of AI are still in the works. Right now, fewer than 1 billion people are using Generative Pre-trained Transformer AI each week, but it looks like that number is set to go over 1 billion pretty soon. On the flip side, a survey by Blue Prism found that 29% of organizations are already using Agentic AI, and 40% are planning to start using it soon. Agentic AI is all about making decisions on its own, automating tasks and processes, and managing systems that are designed to operate independently. This could really help businesses boost their efficiency and reduce the need for human involvement. These days, folks are automating their routines, and decisions are being made by Agentic AI for them. Agentic AI is making its way into a bunch of different industries, from defense setups to national security operations, and it’s being woven into all sorts of systems and machines.
Applications of Agentic AI
Agentic AI can be used in a bunch of different areas like delivery bots, self-driving cars, and drones. It really helps with making quick decisions about route optimization, navigation, and avoiding obstacles by integrating Agentic AI into the designs. Manufacturing is getting a boost with the help of embedded Agentic AIs, making things run more smoothly than ever. These days, production lines are managed more effectively. Fault detection gets a helping hand, downtime is cut down, and output is boosted thanks to Agentic AIs in the production and manufacturing sectors.
Bringing Agentic AI into cybersecurity defense systems has really stepped up threat detection. Now, defense decisions are made automatically, and countermeasures are rolled out in real time. There are quite a few other areas where Agentic AIs have made their mark, like logistics, disaster response operations, healthcare robotics, hydrocarbon exploration and production, energy grids, space exploration rovers, financial fraud management, and a bunch of others.
The Roles of Agentic AI
Agentic AI has a few specific roles: it can handle everything from gathering data to analyzing it, making decisions, providing responses, and giving feedback, all on its own. It can get a bit unsettling when you think about leaving an AI to gather and analyze data and make decisions on its own. But really, it shouldn’t be that scary if the places where this is happening aren’t putting human lives at risk.
Taking a closer look at the different kinds of Agentic AI reveals some serious concerns about letting them function in cyber-physical settings, especially in military systems and operations. The Data Agent is built to gather information on its own, no matter where it’s set up. The Analysis Agent looks at what the Data Agent produces, and then the Decision Agent makes its own call based on what both the Data Agent and Analysis Agent have provided. All of this can happen without anyone having to step in.
Military Use of Agentic AI
In military operations, Agentic AI is now handling some pretty complex strategies. A great example of this is drone swarms, which use machine learning and real-time data analysis to navigate their targets’ environments and carry out tactical operations or offensive tasks.
So, there’s this US defense tech company named Shield AI that just rolled out a new system called the MQ-35 V-BAT. It’s an advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS) that can take off and land vertically, thanks to its Agentic AI power. This electronic war system is designed to autonomously deploy Data Agents for data collection against its targets and can make decisions similar to drone swarms.
China has tapped into the potential of Agentic AI with their advanced unmanned ground system known as CETC. This system isn’t officially labeled as an Agentic AI-enabled system just yet, but you can definitely see some features that suggest it has those characteristics. CETC is designed to manage large-scale deployments of drone swarms, carry out precise autonomous strikes, and conduct reconnaissance and surveillance.
Russia has made a strategic move by leveraging Agentic AI’s offerings to develop their own autonomous UAV system for combat operations, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Russia has drones designed for medium altitude military operations, tactical intelligence gathering, stealth combat, and even some that can engage targets on their own.
Japan’s Ministry of Defence has announced plans to integrate AI into their military operations. This plan focuses on using AI to detect and identify targets by analyzing radar and satellite images. One of their standout Agentic AI-based systems is a UAV known as the Loyal Wingman. Japan isn’t just depending on its own systems; its maritime self-defense force has also picked up some V-BAT drones from US Shield AI to boost maritime situational awareness.
Some other countries that have tapped into the potential of Agentic AI for their military operations include Germany, the UK, France, and a few others. One great example is France’s approach to developing indigenous Agentic AI to boost its autonomy in defense and aerospace.
Civilian Applications
When people talk about Agentic AI, they often bring up a bunch of common examples. You’ll hear about things like self-driving transport systems, robotic surgery support, tools that can diagnose on their own, financial advice that’s fully automated, smart customer support, energy management with smart grids, machines working independently on production lines, and even how retail and supply chains handle inventory and demand forecasting all on their own.
One of the great things about it is how it can make decisions in real time, which really stands out among its many benefits. Another benefit is its ability to quickly respond to changing conditions. Agentic AI reduces errors, particularly those that humans often make, by providing precision and reliability.
Risks and Concerns
With all the cool things Agentic AI can do, you might think it’s all good news and no downsides. But when you start looking into how it’s used in military operations, it can definitely be a bit unsettling. How confident are we in the accuracy of Agentic AI when it comes to making decisions on its own during tactical military operations? Do you think the world could really be free from any hidden risks where AI machines and military systems might accidentally spark conflicts due to misunderstandings in their responses?
What if a Data Agent redefines espionage by sneaking into military digital systems, collecting intelligence, and extracting sensitive information without being noticed?
Now that Agentic AI is on the scene, everyday systems are getting some extra attention. With Agentic AI being part of our mobile devices, online platforms, smart infrastructure, and surveillance systems, it feels like we’re constantly being watched and monitored without even realizing it.
The Geopolitical Angle
It looks like we might be on the brink of a global arms race, all thanks to how countries are starting to blend AI with their military strategies and operations. Unlike traditional military tactics, AI-driven war systems can work at machine speed, identifying threats or engaging targets without any human involvement. That’s pretty concerning and a bit frightening.
This development comes with some serious risks, like misinterpreting intent, unplanned escalation, and possibly losing human control in high-stakes military situations. So, it turns out that the US Department of Defense has shelled out around 10 billion dollars over the past five years to boost their military operations with AI. China has also ramped up their investment in AI for military use. In 2024, Russia is expected to spend around 54 million USD on AI development. France’s ministry of armed forces has kicked off a program named ARTEMIS.IA, focusing on big data processing, AI-driven analysis, and support for military operational decisions, with about €100 million allocated each year from 2019 to 2025.
Countries are ramping up their spending on Agentic AI to boost military capabilities, and it seems like this is paving the way for a new world order. There’s a lot happening on the other side of Agentic AI, especially when it comes to the race for better autonomous weapons, decision-making systems, and surveillance systems.
When it comes to using AI in Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) in the military, it’s really important to have some solid rules in place. We need good governance, oversight from the government, and strong technical and professional safeguards, along with ethical guidelines to keep everything in check.