Taxonomy of Artificial Intelligence in the Cognitive Conflict Environment

Abstract

The article focuses on the state of the art and analysis of the artificial intelligence (ai) paradigm as applied to warfare. It shows how contemporary wars are largely fought outside the battlefields, even in non-physical environments, including cybernetic and cognitive ones. In these two environments, there is intense use of ai to alter the will of adversaries, mainly through influence and disinformation tools. The methodology used is based on a literature review and analysis of documents prepared by experts and reports from institutions dedicated to treating cyber-security, defense, and warfare in developed countries. Here, we propose a taxonomy of warfare and malicious applications of ai that dispenses with the technological characteristics of ai to focus on its operational application. This does not result in a closed set of options but branches into numerous alternatives that can be developed in other works. The primary conclusion is that countries should consider the potential of ai to develop tactical and strategic actions and prepare for unconventional scenarios.