China Creates First AI Commander That Can Operate in War-like Events Without Human Intervention

In a groundbreaking development, Chinese scientists have created the world's first AI commander capable of operating autonomously in war-like events. 

This "virtual commander," confined to a laboratory at the Joint Operations College of the National Defence University in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, mirrors the abilities and flaws of human military leaders, representing a significant leap in military technology.

This AI commander, modeled after human counterparts, is designed to replicate the experience, thought patterns, and even the personalities of human military leaders. 

It has been granted supreme command authority in large-scale computer war games involving all branches of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). 

These simulations allow the AI to learn and adapt rapidly, evolving through continuous virtual warfare.

The research project, led by senior engineer Jia Chenxing, was detailed in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language journal *Common Control & Simulation*. 

The project aims to address the dual potential and risk associated with AI in military applications, presenting a "viable" solution to the challenge of modern warfare.

In China, the principle that “The Party commands the gun” dictates that only the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China can mobilize the PLA. 

Despite the growing autonomy of AI technology, which allows units like drones and robotic dogs more operational freedom, ultimate command authority remains firmly in human hands at headquarters.

The PLA has prepared numerous operational plans for potential conflicts in regions such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. 

Testing these plans in simulations is crucial for gaining strategic insights. 

However, the limited number of senior PLA commanders makes it impossible for them to participate in all necessary simulations. 

The AI commander fills this gap, stepping in when human commanders are unavailable to participate in large-scale virtual battles.

Within the laboratory confines, the AI commander exercises its power without human interference. 

It operates as the sole core decision-making entity, responsible for the overall operation's success. 

This is a significant step forward compared to AI roles in other countries' militaries, such as the US Army's AI serving as a "commander’s virtual staff" and the US Air Force's AI pilots participating only in frontline training.

Recognizing that humans are fallible, the scientists imposed a size limit on the AI commander’s decision-making knowledge base. 

This limit ensures that the AI experiences "forgetfulness" by periodically dumping some knowledge units when its memory capacity is reached.

 This feature helps simulate human limitations and enhances the realism of its decision-making processes.

The AI commander allows the PLA to conduct extensive “human-out-of-the-loop” war simulations. 

It identifies new threats, crafts plans, and makes optimal decisions based on the overall situation, learning from both victories and defeats. 

This capability enables high efficiency and supports repeated experimentation without human intervention, offering significant advantages in military preparedness.

China's advancements in AI military applications are part of a broader global race, with the United States and other nations also striving to lead in this critical domain. 

Despite the competition, there are shared concerns about the unchecked development of AI in military contexts. 

Senior officials from China, the US, and Russia are negotiating regulations to mitigate the risks of AI militarization, including preventing AI from gaining control over nuclear weapons.

China's creation of an AI commander capable of autonomous operation in war-like events marks a significant milestone in military technology. 

While it offers considerable advantages in operational readiness and efficiency, it also underscores the importance of responsible development and international cooperation to manage the risks associated with AI militarization. 

As nations continue to innovate, the balance between leveraging AI's potential and ensuring global security remains a critical priority.