China is looking to reshape how its military personnel are trained in artificial intelligence by incorporating battlefield scenarios and uncrewed warfare into university-level AI coursework.
Researchers from the National University of Defence Technology’s College of Intelligence Science and Technology proposed overhauling an existing AI course after finding that its case studies lacked sufficient military relevance, the South China Morning Post reported.
The proposed curriculum would use uncrewed warfare scenarios to connect AI concepts with military operations, including battlefield assessment, decision-making, and targeting.
In one exercise, simulated drones would coordinate to surround a high-value target, showing students how AI systems make decisions and operate collectively.
The researchers have also developed an online simulation platform that allows students to design maps, configure forces and missions, and train AI agents through mock combat. Systems developed by different teams could then compete against each other in simulated scenarios.
Despite the stronger battlefield focus, the researchers stressed that AI would remain a decision-support tool, with humans retaining final command authority.
The course would also examine the ethical and legal boundaries of autonomous weapons, along with AI vulnerabilities such as data bias and adversarial attacks.
