China’s military has warned that artificial intelligence cannot replace human decision-making on the battlefield because it lacks self-awareness.
“AI must work in tandem with human decision-makers to optimize command effectiveness, augmenting rather than replacing human action,” said an article published in the People’s Liberation Army Daily. New Year’s Eve.
The article states that AI can be used to augment human capabilities – through data analysis, simulations or planning – but cannot replace them.
“As AI evolves, it must remain a tool guided by human judgment, ensuring that responsibility, creativity and strategic adaptability remain at the forefront of military decision-making,” the article states.
The article states that human autonomy and creativity are essential on the battlefield. He adds that while human commanders can react to situations dynamically and exploit enemy weaknesses, AI operates within predefined algorithmic boundaries and its responses often lack originality.
The PLA said it prefers a model in which “humans plan and AI executes” in which technology is used to implement strategies and tactics developed by commanders and retains an element of human oversight.
The company said it prefers a structure in which machines analyze data, provide insights and suggest potential actions. However, “final decisions rest with human commanders, who guard against errors arising from the black box nature of AI.”
