The Internet of Battlefield Things

- Overview

Pervasive Network Intelligence (PNI) is an emerging military concept that describes a hyper-connected, AI-driven battlefield network designed to deliver information dominance and accelerate decision-making. 

Pervasive Network Intelligence (PNI) will transform the future battlefield into a hyper-connected "Internet of Battlefield Things" (IoBT), where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ubiquitous sensing converge to deliver information dominance and accelerate decision-making at machine speeds. 

In essence, pervasive network intelligence is not just about better communication; it's about fundamentally transforming warfare into a data-driven, machine-speed endeavor that seeks information supremacy as a core competency for future conflicts.

1. Key Characteristics:

• Ubiquitous Sensing and Connectivity: The battlefield will be blanketed with thousands of interconnected sensors, including soldier-worn devices, unmanned systems, ground sensors, and satellites, all continuously gathering data. This vast network requires robust, resilient, and self-healing connectivity, leveraging commercial technologies like 5G and low Earth orbit satellites, with data processing moving to the network's edge for increased security and speed.
• AI-Powered Analytics: AI and machine learning are essential for analyzing the "colossal amounts of heterogeneous data streams" produced by this network. Instead of human analysts spending hours sifting through data, AI systems will perform "collective analytics" almost instantly to identify patterns, detect anomalies, verify targets, and predict adversary courses of action.
• Accelerated Decision-Making: The primary goal of PNI is to shorten the OODA (observe, orient, decide, act) loop, enabling commanders to make decisions at a much faster tempo than adversaries. This allows for rapid, decisive action and the compression of the "kill chain" from minutes to seconds.
• Human-Machine Teaming: PNI will fundamentally redefine the role of the human operator. While AI will automate mundane, repetitive, or dangerous tasks, humans will maintain a vital oversight and decision-making role. Future operations will be "machine-assisted," where soldiers are enhanced by intelligent systems rather than replaced by them.
• Enhanced Situational Awareness: The ability to synthesize diverse data sources—from imagery to social media posts and intelligence reports—into a comprehensive operational overview will provide unparalleled situational awareness, reducing the risk of friendly fire and enhancing overall mission effectiveness.

2. Challenges and Vulnerabilities: 

• Cyber Threats: The hyper-connected nature of the IoBT vastly increases the attack surface for adversaries. The AI's underlying data and algorithms are vulnerable to spoofing, degradation, or subversion, which could erode trust in the systems. Cyber defenses, enhanced by AI, will be a critical and ongoing contest.
• Data and Trust Issues: Effective AI requires large volumes of high-quality, reliable data. Ensuring data integrity and building trust between human warfighters and autonomous systems remains a significant challenge.
• Ethical and Legal Implications: The increasing autonomy of AI in targeting and decision-making raises complex ethical and legal questions regarding accountability and adherence to international laws of armed conflict.

[More to come ...]