As the world continues to evolve, so does the nature of warfare. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is increasingly focused on “Cognitive Warfare,” a term referring to artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled military systems and operational concepts. The PLA’s exploration into this new domain of warfare could potentially change the dynamics of global conflict.
The PLA’s interest in “cognitive warfare” is particularly intriguing. Cognitive warfare refers to operations that leverage techniques and technologies such as AI to influence the minds of adversaries, shape their decisions, and create a strategically favorable environment. This approach could potentially allow China to achieve victory without resorting to conventional weapons. We’re talking social engineering at potential massive scale.