AI
BY COL RICHARD FAWCETT (RET'D)
T
he premise for this article
is that artificial intelligence
(AI), including machine
learning, is the solution to
dealing with the risk that
modern C4ISR systems produce too
much information for humans to absorb
during the decision-making process. I
write this article, based largely on my 34
years of service, much of it spent work-
ing in headquarters at the tactical, op-
erational, and strategic levels, including
experiences working in deployed HQs on
six expeditionary and one major domes-
tic operation. Since retired from the CAF,
I have worked for three major industry
partners supporting the delivery of the
Canadian Army's C4ISR capability ambi-
tions. To understand the role and benefit
of AI in dealing with the potential infor-
mation overload risk in deployed tactical
HQs, I will first look at the function of a
tactical HQ, the inputs that risk overload-
ing commanders and their staffs, and the
role AI could play in mitigating this risk.
30 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 www.vanguardcanada.com
Artificial Intelligence
THE SOLUTION TO INFORMATION OVERLOAD IN TACTICAL HEADQUARTERS?
"OPERATIONAL SUCCESS IN THE PAN-DOMAIN REALITY
DEMANDS AN ADAPTATION OF NOT JUST CANADIAN ARMY
C4I SYSTEMS AND ARCHITECTURE—IT WILL HAVE
STRUCTURAL, PROCEDURAL, AND GOVERNANCE
IMPLICATIONS RELATED TO DATA MANAGEMENT,
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND EVEN HOW THE
CANADIAN ARMY WILL FIELD NEW CAPABILITIES, TRAIN,
AND MAKE DECISIONS. IT WILL DEMAND CHANGE TO
CULTURE DRIVEN BY LEADERS. THE DIGITAL SPHERE
IMPLICATES PROCESSES, PRACTICES, AND
TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO THE PRODUCTION,
STORAGE, PROCESSING, DISSEMINATION, AND
EXCHANGE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND DATA."
Advancing with Purpose – The Modernisation of the Canadian Army
