Software-defined warfare: Why edge AI is critical to America’s defense future
The global security landscape is experiencing a significant transformation. Russia’s ongoing war in Europe, China’s extensive military buildup, and unprecedented collaboration among our adversaries present the United States with its most serious security challenges since the Cold War. As a commissioner on the Atlantic Council’s Commission on Software-Defined Warfare, I have had the privilege of contributing to an important discussion about how we can maintain our military advantage in this rapidly evolving environment, where the future of warfare hinges on advanced technologies like edge computing.
A new defense approach
The Commission’s recently released report underscores a crucial reality: the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to operate as a hardware-centric organization, relying on outdated industrial-age processes in a digital era that demands a software-focused approach—specifically, software-defined warfare. As the co-founder and CEO of Latent AI, I’ve seen firsthand how this misalignment hinders our ability to deploy advanced edge computing capabilities quickly and effectively for modern defense.
This report arrives at a critical time. With defense budgets remaining flat when adjusted for inflation, a shortage of skilled talent, and insufficient industrial production capacity, the United States faces significant challenges in addressing emerging threats. The current approach is no longer sustainable—we need transformative strategies, including the edge computing paradigm, to regain our asymmetric advantage and enhance the effectiveness of our military forces by leveraging vast amounts of data in real time.
Enterprise foundations for the edge AI success computing imperative
One of the most significant insights from the Commission’s work highlights the importance of edge computing and AI in shaping the future of warfare. Traditional methods of deploying AI, which rely heavily on cloud computing and central locations, are inadequate for modern battlefields that face contested networks, limited bandwidth, and the urgent need for data in real time. Computing is a distributed process now, and the benefits of edge computing—such as reduced latency and enhanced resilience—are vital.
The report reflects this reality through several interconnected recommendations. The Commission advocates for the establishment of an enterprise data repository and investment in AI enablers to create a foundation for effective AI edge deployment across the DoD. This enterprise approach fosters a structured and accessible environment for data sources, necessary for developing and training robust AI models optimized for edge infrastructure. Without this foundation, DoD organizations may struggle to integrate various data sources and infrastructure, resulting in small-scale, custom-built projects lacking software interoperability or a shared code base.
This enterprise strategy directly supports the deployment of effective edge AI in denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth (DDIL) environments. When communication networks fail, edge servers at the edge of the network offer crucial advantages that cloud-dependent systems cannot. The ability to analyze data locally, make decisions without consistent connectivity, and operate with limited computational resources is a strategic necessity. By establishing enterprise-wide data practices, the DoD can build a pipeline that transforms comprehensive, well-managed data into resilient edge computing use cases that function even when disconnected from central locations.
From data to decision advantage
The report’s section on “Enterprise Challenges” emphasizes the DoD’s lack of processes for quickly updating software to keep pace with emerging threats. This is particularly critical in the context of edge AI, where rapid adaptation based on new data and changing conditions can determine mission success. As the report states, “In future conflicts, the ability to deploy, employ, and update software and AI models faster than the adversary will provide the DoD with a competitive advantage across all domains of battle.” Edge AI excels here, enabling rapid adaptation at the tactical edge with computing power that reduces latency and doesn’t rely on extensive infrastructure.
The Commission’s recommendation to invest in AI enablers—specifically reusable AI-ready datasets, models, and MLOps Enterprise tools—aligns seamlessly with the edge computing paradigm. By making these tools accessible across innovation organizations, services, and Combatant Commands, we empower warfighters to apply AI effectively at the tactical edge, leveraging edge computing infrastructure where it’s most needed.
Breaking down integration barriers
The most significant barrier to effective software-defined warfare is the lack of software interoperability between platforms, sensors, networks, and communication links. The Commission’s second recommendation addresses this directly, calling for enforcing integration through a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), APIs, and modular system interfaces. Edge AI technologies must operate within this framework, enabling disparate systems to share data and collaborate effectively across multiple hardware platforms and adapt to changing network conditions.
The path forward
As we move toward a software-defined future for defense, several imperatives emerge:
- Prioritize edge-native AI development: Shift from adapting cloud-based AI models to creating solutions optimized from the ground up for edge deployment.
- Invest in edge infrastructure: The DoD should establish a robust edge computing infrastructure that enables rapid deployment, testing, and updating of AI capabilities across diverse hardware platforms.
- Foster talent and expertise: Enable software talent across the enterprise with expertise in edge computing capabilities and AI.
- Embrace commercial solutions: The commercial sector drives remarkable innovations in edge AI. The DoD must leverage these advances through partnerships and collaborative efforts.
Conclusion
The Commission on Software-Defined Warfare has provided a clear roadmap for transforming the DoD into a more agile, software-centric organization capable of maintaining technological superiority in an increasingly contested world. Edge AI will play a crucial role in this transformation, enabling our forces to operate effectively in environments where connectivity is limited or denied and decisions must be made in milliseconds rather than minutes.
As we implement the Commission’s recommendations, we have an opportunity to fundamentally rethink how we develop, deploy, and utilize AI in defense applications. By prioritizing edge computing capabilities, we can create a force that is more resilient, adaptive, and effective in the face of rapidly evolving threats.
The future of warfare is software-defined, and the edge is where that future will be decided. Let’s ensure we’re ready to meet that challenge.
Jags Kandasamy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Latent AI and an Industry Commissioner on the Atlantic Council’s Commission on Software-Defined Warfare.
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