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Artificial intelligence has become one of the most transformative and influential technologies of the modern era and its impact can already be seen across multiple aspects of human life. While its potential benefits are undeniable, AI is also creating new and unprecedented risks, particularly in the field of warfare. This makes it a truly double-edged sword.
On the one hand, it can serve humanity by advancing education, revolutionizing healthcare and improving quality of life across the globe. On the other, it can intensify conflicts, reshape military operations and raise serious ethical concerns when used as a weapon of war. The balance between these two realities will define how this technology shapes the future of our world.
In the realm of education, AI offers hope and opportunity. Education has long been a sector plagued by inequalities, with students in wealthier societies often having access to better schools, teachers and learning materials, while those in less-developed regions are left behind. AI has the potential to narrow this gap. By using intelligent tutoring systems, machine learning algorithms and adaptive platforms, AI can personalize the learning experience for every student.
The healthcare sector is another area where AI is already demonstrating revolutionary potential. Traditionally, healthcare systems have struggled with issues of accessibility, cost and human error. AI is beginning to address all of these. One of the most significant contributions comes in the field of diagnostics. Machine learning algorithms trained on millions of medical images are now capable of detecting conditions such as cancer, strokes or neurological disorders at an earlier stage and with levels of accuracy that rival or even surpass human doctors.
The balance between these two realities will define how this technology shapes the future of our world
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
Yet, as beneficial as AI can be in education and healthcare, the same technology is increasingly being used in warfare. AI is transforming modern battlefields, not only in theory but in practice. In recent years, militaries around the world have integrated AI into every aspect of their operations, from surveillance and intelligence gathering to targeting and logistics.
Autonomous drones, powered by AI algorithms, can identify, track and even strike targets with minimal human input. These drones can navigate complex environments, evade enemy defenses and adjust their actions in real time. AI also drives predictive analytics that can anticipate enemy movements, analyze satellite imagery and process vast amounts of intercepted communications at speeds that human analysts cannot match. All of this translates into faster decision-making, greater accuracy and the potential for fewer mistakes — at least in theory.
The Russia-Ukraine war has already provided concrete examples of AI in action. Ukraine has AI-powered drones that can autonomously identify and attack enemy positions. These drones, trained with advanced algorithms, can fly low, evade radar and strike military targets with precision. Russia, in turn, has invested heavily in counterdrone systems and AI-assisted electronic warfare tools. Reports suggest that Russian systems have used AI to detect, track and neutralize incoming drones, highlighting how AI has become a central element in the back-and-forth technological arms race of the conflict. These examples show that AI is no longer a theoretical concept in warfare — it is actively shaping outcomes on the battlefield.
While some officials argue that such systems improve accuracy and reduce civilian casualties by focusing only on legitimate targets, the use of AI in war inevitably raises the question of accountability. If an AI system misidentifies a target and innocent lives are lost, who bears responsibility — the programmers, the military operators or the technology itself?
This brings us to the ethical debate surrounding AI in warfare, which has become one of the most heated issues in international security today. On one side, proponents argue that AI can make warfare more humane by reducing unnecessary suffering. They suggest that AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data quickly can minimize mistakes, avoid accidental bombings of civilian areas and even take soldiers out of harm’s way by delegating dangerous tasks to machines. For these advocates, AI could be a way to fight wars with fewer casualties and with greater precision.
The same algorithms that diagnose diseases or teach children can also guide missiles or control drones
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
On the other side, critics warn of the dangers of delegating life-and-death decisions to machines. They argue that AI systems, no matter how advanced, lack the moral reasoning and ethical judgment required in combat situations. An AI might be able to calculate probabilities and identify heat signatures, but it cannot understand human context or moral nuance.
Moreover, reliance on AI could make starting wars easier, as governments may feel emboldened if their own soldiers are less likely to die in combat. This could lower the threshold for military engagement and lead to more conflicts, not fewer. Critics also highlight the dangers of malfunction, hacking or intentional misuse, which could result in catastrophic outcomes.
In the end, AI is undeniably a double-edged sword. It holds the power to transform societies for the better through innovations in education and healthcare that can uplift millions of lives. At the same time, it has the potential to magnify destruction when employed in warfare. The same algorithms that diagnose diseases or teach children can also guide missiles or control drones.
This dual nature of AI forces humanity to confront difficult questions about responsibility, morality and the future of warfare. As AI continues to advance, global leaders, policymakers and citizens must grapple with its implications. The choices made today will determine whether AI becomes a tool for human flourishing or a weapon that escalates global conflict.
- Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh