AI is reshaping how the US military makes decisions in war — a shift clear in Iran, where the Pentagon says it struck more than 2,000 targets in just four days.
The unprecedented tempo of targeted attacks has been driven in part by AI systems that sift the torrents of intelligence data from drones, satellites and other sensors, generating strike options far faster than traditional human-led planning.
The conflict also marks the first battlefield use of “frontier” generative AI models, with AI tools widely used by civilians — from office workers to doctors and students — helping commanders interpret data, plan operations and provide real-time feedback during combat.