Getting military AI operational: US lessons for allies

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In NATO’s multi-domain vision, artificial intelligence (AI) is considered the key to managing the enormous amount of data that is collected and exchanged. The article explores how military organizations can prepare for a future where AI permeates every level of operation – from administration to decision support and, ultimately, target engagement. The analyses focus on the practical application of AI within the US military prior to the second Trump Administration. Drawing on these experiences, the article offers practical and actionable recommendations for a specific group of NATO allies, the capable, committed, and AI-ambitious members of the alliance. The article outlines three categories of military AI and seven integration challenges. US cases illustrate how strategic prioritization, combined with experimental initiatives at the unit level as well as a balance between responsible use and calculated risk-taking, enhances the ability to overcome the main challenges of military AI. With such practical recommendations for defense organizations, the article also calls on AI scholars in defense studies to engage more directly with military practice.