Digitalization and data-driven processes complement workflows in various areas of work, including and in particular in the Bundeswehr. Their uses are manifold and include making routine activities easier, evaluating large amounts of data and providing assistance in the development of strategies. This type of AI support can be helpful in all areas, for example health care, reconnaissance and causal chains. The increasing amount of data generated by new sensors on various platforms, combined with decreasing personnel levels, inevitably necessitates alternative processing methods. Machine learning can assist in these developments and generate new insights as appropriate. The use of AI has many advantages that are also evident beyond the sphere of defense.

However, the use of new technology can also have a deterrent effect and even lead to new processes being rejected. Some people have reservations and possibly also difficulty understanding AI. In order to overcome such concerns and prejudice, but also to recognize the limitations of AI and be able to decide where to use it, it is important to not only understand the language of this domain but also to acquire a degree of competence.

Decision makers who regularly deal with presentations and advertisements for products that allegedly contain AI require a knowledge base that can facilitate discussions with salespeople etc. and help them navigate their way through advertising slogans, AI output and “buzzword bingo”. They also need to be able to accurately articulate the requirements of the armed forces, to assess risks and to optimize the handling of machine learning processes by understanding the systems behind them.

The Crash Course on AI in the Bundeswehr concentrates on the basic processes, possibilities, limitations and risks associated with AI, and provides guidance for assessing its quality and effectiveness. Learning how to program is explicitly not part of this crash course. However, you will learn about the basic types of AI, their weaknesses and current developments. Together, we will appraise the information and discuss the use of AI in the Bundeswehr.