Changing Warfare
This leads to how modern technologies have the capability – for better or for worse – of changing the face of warfare. Blockchain technology will be implemented firstly in the logistics and supply chains of the military. The Russian military incursion into Ukraine has reminded militaries around the world how important military logistics are in battle. Blockchain has the ability to make the entire logistics and supply chain systems more manageable. For example, blockchain has the ability to show exactly where equipment is at all times from the point of creation to where they are in the field, determine exactly where equipment was produced and when, prevent the counterfeiting of military equipment, and prevent the theft of equipment.
Another important technological combination for the military will be the increased use of artificial intelligence and robotics in combat. Artificial Intelligence is mostly used to simulate combat scenarios for soldiers, preparing them to fight in war. This could lead to a decrease in PTSD among combat veterans, as they will be more acclimated to warfare prior to their deployment. That is, if they are even deployed in the future. The corporations making up the military industrial complex are heavily investing into robotics, with the aim of decreasing the amount of human life required in dangerous environments. Everyone is familiar with the video of the robotic dog designed to assist American soldiers in combat. These robots will eventually replace human life on the battlefield.
Legislators should do everything they can to facilitate the adaptation of blockchain into the military’s supply chain and logistics mechanisms. Legislators should be more concerned about the introduction of robots onto the battlefield – or perhaps more so about the removal of humans. We know from early drone warfare that it is easier to kill someone from behind a computer screen then face to face. This same concept applies to robotic soldiers. Whether it’s a soldier controlling a robot in Iraq, or an algorithm within the robot, we should be concerned about removing the “human element” of warfare.
A great example of this is Elon Musk’s idea for using explosive drones with facial recognition technology. These killer drones would have small explosive in them and utilize the same facial recognition technology an iPhone has. These killer drones could be unleashed in a building, looking for their target. Once the target is spotted, the drone would fly as close to their head as possible, and explode. Killing the target. An argument could be made that this makes warfare too easy and is anti-human.
