University of Exeter experts will lead major research projects into the role of AI in military decision-making and how microbiomes shape human, animal and environmental health thanks to new European Research Council funding.
Professor Anthony King will examine how artificial intelligence has been used by the armed forces in the past decade, and how they will use the technology in the future. The work aims to dispel any misunderstandings, hyperbole, and myth and will help EU political leaders, policymakers and military forces to understand the application of AI to military affairs, so that they are in a better position to apply this radical technology to European defence policy.
Professor Angus Buckling will investigate how viruses that infect bacteria affect the composition of microbiomes. Microbiomes are naturally occurring communities of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes.
Both projects have been awarded ERC Advanced Grants, which give senior researchers the opportunity to pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to major scientific breakthroughs.
The grants are part of the EU's Horizon Europe programme and worth a total of €838 million, which will go to 319 leading researchers across Europe.
Professor Buckling, from the Department of Ecology & Conservation at the University of Exeter's Penryn campus in Cornwall, said: "I am delighted, honoured and very excited to have been awarded funding for the project. Many thanks to the other team members (Meaghan Castledine, Elze Hesse, Mario Recker, Arthur Newbury and Dan Padfield) and other academic and professional service colleagues who made the project a reality."
Professor King, who is Director of the University of Exeter's Strategy and Security Institute, will use archives as part of his study and carry out interviews and fieldwork in military headquarters.
He said: "Many experts and policy makers are disturbed by the military application of AI and fear it will replace human commanders and take over military decision-making. Ultimately, there is a fear that AI will automate war. It is a bleak vision. I want to test my theory that AI will influence - but not automate - military decision making. I believe commanders will have to decide how to apply the results of AI, with their staff and technicians, who programme, operate and maintain the AI software.
"My research will explore what AI can actually do, how military commanders use AI to make decisions and the extent to which AI threaten the ethics of military decision-making."
