AI in homeland security raises ethical and privacy concerns
Mohammad Asif Khan
Artificial intelligence (AI) has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, quietly shaping our interactions and experiences. As you compose an email or a text message, you’ve likely noticed the eerily accurate suggestions that anticipate your thoughts. Online shopping platforms extend personalised recommendations, tailoring selections based on your past preferences. Music streaming services craft playlists that resonate with your unique listening history.
Moreover, within the confines of your home, AI takes on a more tangible form. A voice-activated device readily identifies and responds to queries, effortlessly blending into your routines. Meanwhile, your smartphone employs facial recognition technology, effortlessly granting access with just a glance.
AI’s presence looms large in the security and defence sectors, heralding an era of rapid advancement. The integration of AI in critical sectors like security and defence prompts us to grapple with profound questions about the responsible use of this technology. Issues surrounding privacy, bias and the potential for autonomous decision-making raise concerns about accountability and transparency.
In 2018, India embarked on its AI journey with the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, primarily focusing on commercial and private sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, smart cities, infrastructure, and transportation. However, it did not encompass the defence sector initially. India, though a late entrant in defence AI, is now taking significant steps in terms of investment, indigenous development and partnerships for AI adoption.
The Defence AI Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) were established with a substantial annual budget of Rs 1,000 crore dedicated to AI projects. The Centre for AI and Robotics (CAIR), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is actively developing AI-based signal intelligence solutions to bolster armed forces’ intelligence gathering capabilities.
As of July 2022, the ministry of defence has introduced 75 AI-enabled systems for the defence sector, with an additional 140 AI-powered sensor systems deployed along the borders with Pakistan and China. The Indian Army is also set to conduct trials of domestically developed AI-driven unmanned vehicles in Ladakh for surveillance and logistics operations.
To foster international ties in AI and lead in technology diplomacy, the ministry of external affairs established the New Emerging and Strategic Technologies Division in 2020. This move aligns with recommendations from the US National Security Commission on AI, emphasising a US–India Strategic Tech-Alliance (USISTA) for an Indo-Pacific Strategy on emerging technologies. Here are some real examples of how AI is being used in homeland security in India:
Indian Navy: The Indian Navy is using AI to develop new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. AI-powered systems can analyse data from sonar and other sensors to detect and track submarines more effectively than human operators. ASW warships such as the INS Kolkata and the INS Chennai are being equipped with such AI-powered sonar systems. AI-powered unmanned maritime vehicles (UMVs) such as the AUV100 and the USV Marauder are being developed for surveillance and mine clearance missions.
The Indian Navy is also using AI to develop new unmanned maritime vehicles (UMVs) for surveillance and mine clearance missions. AI-powered UMVs can operate autonomously for long periods and can collect and analyse large volumes of data, making them ideal for missions in hostile environments.
Indian Air Force: The Indian Air Force is using AI to develop new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and combat missions. AI-powered combat UAVs such as the DRDO Ghatak are being developed. These UAVs can operate autonomously for long periods and can engage targets with a variety of weapons.
AI-powered radar systems such as the DRDO ASRAD-X and the BEL MMR are being developed to detect and track incoming missiles and aircraft more effectively than human operators. The Indian Air Force is also using AI to develop new air defence capabilities. For example, the Indian Air Force is developing AI-powered radar systems that can detect and track incoming missiles and aircraft more effectively than human operators.
Indian Army: The Indian Army is using AI-powered drones to monitor the Line of Control (LC) with Pakistan. These drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors that can detect and track suspicious activity along the border.
The Indian Army is also using AI to develop new combat capabilities. For example, the Indian Army is developing AI-powered tanks and artillery systems that can identify and engage targets autonomously. This will allow the Indian Army to fight more effectively in future conflicts.
AI-powered drones such as the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron TP and the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper are being used to monitor the LC with Pakistan.
Even in-service tanks such as the T-90MS and the Arjun Mk-1A are being upgraded with AI to identify and engage targets autonomously.
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