SEOUL, Sept 9 — The Defence Ministry is considering intensifying the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military sector to strengthen Malaysia’s defence capabilities.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said using AI in the military is an inevitable advancement, as it is being utilised globally across various sectors, including defence.
He said his ministry must understand and assess the achievements of AI in the military field in other countries before implementing it in Malaysia.
“The AI technology summit in the military field held (here) today provides Malaysia with an opportunity and platform to observe the use of AI in the defence sector in other countries that have already applied it.
“If my ministry does not take certain steps (towards using AI in the military), our country’s defence sector will certainly be far behind,” he told reporters here today after attending the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit 2024 here today.
Khaled said the summit offers Malaysia a chance to prepare the nation for the adoption of AI technology in the military sector.
“We must recognise the necessary considerations as AI technology has its pros and cons as it involves issues of national security and sovereignty.
“Our presence at this summit allows us to observe various AI applications in other countries, enabling us to make comparisons and gather information regarding the AI technologies being applied in their respective military sectors,” he said.
He added that a key takeaway from the summit is the guidelines on the use of AI technology in the military.
“The main issue raised (during the summit) is the necessity of international best practices or standard operating procedure for the use of AI, which I believe have not been established and are still under discussion,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked whether the three branches of the Malaysia Armed Forces (ATM) have begun using AI, he said though the technology is being used, it is not yet widespread.
Khaled added that the use of AI technology will enhance the precision and effectiveness of ATM’s decision making, as it involves matters of national security and sovereignty.
“My ministry has to make detailed plans for the implementation of AI technology in the ATM. The use of AI technology in the military should be present in all three branches of the ATM, and it must be guided by the end users. We also need to consider the capacity to develop AI technology within the country,” he said.
REAIM 2024 was organised by South Korea’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and Defence Ministry, along with co-organizers the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Malaysia is among 90 countries participating in the summit.
Meanwhile, the ministry said it supports the United Nations’ efforts and initiatives to study and to examine the use of AI for peacekeepers under the world body’s umbrella when carrying out their duties.
Khaled said this is as AI technology was increasingly being applied in the military field worldwide.
“Following a bilateral meeting with the UN today, they will bring this issue to the UN level to examine the effectiveness of using AI in military operations.
“This will be a key focus at the UN’s upcoming meetings and discussions over the next two months,” he told reporters after a closed-door meeting with the UN’s High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Nakamitsu Izumu, here today.
Also present at the meeting was Chief of Staff Malaysian Armed Forces Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad.
— Bernama
