Alan Turing Institute report warns AI must support, not replace, commanders in the British Army

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(IN BRIEF) The Alan Turing Institute has released a report assessing the role of artificial intelligence in British Army command. While AI could enhance battlefield decision-making through faster data analysis and improved efficiency, researchers stress it cannot replace the human elements of judgement, accountability, and leadership. The study, based on expert interviews and literature review, identifies challenges including technical limitations, risks from overreliance on private sector values, and the vulnerabilities created by the increasing “datafication” of war. The report concludes that the British Army must first resolve cultural, legal, and ethical concerns, while investing in AI literacy and training, to ensure AI strengthens rather than undermines military effectiveness.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 8-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Alan Turing Institute has published new research examining how artificial intelligence (AI) could transform the way the British Army commands and leads, while stressing that human judgement, accountability, and leadership remain indispensable on the battlefield.

The report, produced through a literature review and expert interviews with UK and US defence practitioners, military personnel, and legal specialists, was launched in response to the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review, which placed a stronger emphasis on autonomy and AI in conventional forces. It identifies opportunities for AI to improve decision-making but also underlines barriers and risks to its responsible adoption.

Command support, not command replacement
AI can offer commanders significant advantages in speed, data analysis, and situational awareness. However, researchers emphasise that technology cannot replicate the lived expertise of military leaders, their character, or their ability to navigate the realities of conflict. They warn that removing human oversight risks undermining International Humanitarian Law and the accountability required in life-or-death decisions.

Operational and technical constraints
The study finds that AI has the potential to reshape command posts and headquarters, but current battlefield infrastructure lacks the technology to support full integration. Reliability under combat conditions is also a concern, while adversaries are likely to target these systems, raising risks associated with overdependence.

Private sector influence and cultural implications
AI development is largely driven by private industry, often shaped by corporate values rather than military ethics. The researchers caution that excessive reliance on private companies could embed non-military norms into command culture and weaken military identity.

The ‘datafication’ of war
Digital visibility and social media have made military operations more exposed and contestable than ever before. AI may sharpen commanders’ insight but could also heighten vulnerability to manipulation, cyberattacks, and information warfare.

Recommendations for responsible adoption
The report advises that the British Army address legal, cultural, and ethical challenges before embedding AI into battlefield command. Key recommendations include strengthening AI literacy and education within the military, reassessing the role of private companies, and ensuring robust oversight mechanisms.

Dr Rupert Barrett-Taylor, Research Fellow and lead author of the report, said: “The introduction of AI invites us to rethink how the British Army commands and controls. Integration is not only about processes but about tradition, identity, and leadership. The real challenge lies in determining how AI can support and augment commanders without displacing the human qualities that remain essential to military decision-making.”

The full report, AI and Command in the British Army, is available via the Alan Turing Institute.

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email: press@turing.ac.uk

SOURCE: Alan Turing Institute