AI in National Security: Strategic Defense and Emerging Threats

As geopolitical landscapes evolve, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of modern national defense and intelligence operations. Understanding how these technologies function, their strategic advantages, and their inherent risks is essential for anyone interested in global security. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the intersection of AI and national security, helping you transition from a basic curiosity about technology to possessing a structured, analytical understanding of how machine learning and autonomous systems are deployed in defense contexts. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks within defense frameworks. - Analyze how computer vision, natural language processing, and predictive analytics assist in intelligence collection and surveillance. - Evaluate the strategic implications, ethical challenges, and international regulations surrounding autonomous weapon systems. - Identify current cybersecurity threats driven by AI and how modern defense systems automate threat detection. - Examine the role of generative AI and large language models in strategic decision-making and intelligence analysis. The course begins by establishing key terminology and foundational AI concepts before guiding you through practical defense applications, policy considerations, and future security landscapes. Designed for beginners, this text-only course requires no prior background in computer science, programming, or military strategy. Start reading today to build a critical foundation in the future of global security and defense technology.