MADRID — Artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in military drones and defense planning, but industry executives said it may be most valuable for intelligence gathering and decision-making rather than autonomous weapons, according to a report from BusinessWorld.

Speaking at a defense technology conference in Madrid, executives highlighted that AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data in real time can enhance threat detection and strategic planning, offering a more significant advantage than deploying AI in combat roles. The focus on intelligence aligns with growing ethical concerns over autonomous weapons.

The report noted that while AI-powered drones and autonomous systems continue to be developed, defense leaders see the greatest near-term impact in improving situational awareness and command-and-control processes, reducing human error in high-stakes environments.