Bridging the Gap: Unlocking the AI Decision Advantage for Defense

As defense organizations continue to invest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), a critical challenge remains: how to close the gap between AI development and deployment.

Blog Co-Author: David Zaharchuk, Research Director, Thought Leadership, IBM Institute for Business Value

The potential benefits of AI in defense are vast.  Defense industry leaders are turning to AI as a strategic capability to augment tactical superiority, enhance operational efficacy, and boost efficiency. However, realizing these advantages requires a deep understanding of the complexities involved in integrating AI into defense operations.

Reports from the IBM Center for The Business of Government and the IBM Institute for Business Value offer valuable insights into this challenge. According to the latest report, “AI Decision Advantage for Defense:”

• Defense organizations prioritize AI now more than ever. 35% of defense leaders indicate AI will be extremely important in the next three years.
• Actual AI deployment lags behind expectations. Leaders expected to be further ahead with AI deployment, but skills shortages, data governance issues, and ethical challenges continue to be speed bumps.
• Defense organizations are building up internal AI capabilities to reduce reliance on the private sector.

To learn more about how to overcome the development-to-deployment gap and unlock the full potential of AI in defense, explore these in-depth reports:

• “Deploying AI in defense organizations”
• "Advancing AI in Defense Organizations"
• "AI Decision Advantage for Defense"

By embracing a thoughtful and strategic approach to AI adoption, defense organizations can harness the power of AI to drive better decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and maintain a strategic edge.