MWI Podcast: Russia’s Pursuit of Military AI

By John Ambie, featuring Sam Bendett, Fletcher alum and analyst with CNA’s Russia Studies Program

Russian leaders—most notably, Vladimir Putin—have long expressed the view that artificial intelligence will be crucial to Russian security in the future. This sentiment has driven a pursuit in Russia of military applications of AI technology. But how much progress has been made in that pursuit? How have sanctions put in place in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine influenced the course of Russian AI research and development? Most fundamentally, how do Russian military leaders actually want to employ AI-enabled tools on the battlefield?

These questions are immediately relevant in the context of the war in Ukraine, which has seen a succession of new technological capabilities shape the conduct and outcome of battles. But they also have important implications for the confrontation between Russia and the West in the years—even decades—to come. To examine them, John Amble is joined on this episode of the MWI Podcast by Sam Bendett. He is an adviser and member of the Russia Studies Program at CNA and an adjunct senior fellow in the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, which published his recent report, “The Role of AI in Russia’s Confrontation with the West.”

The MWI Podcast is produced through an endowment generously funded by the West Point Class of 1974. You can listen to this episode of the podcast below, and if you aren’t already subscribed, be sure to find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode. While you’re there, please take just a moment to leave the podcast a rating or give it a review!

(This post is republished from MWI Podcast.)