AI in security and defence: is tech making us safer?

This episode of The Times Tech Podcast explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in national defense and security, examining whether technological advancements are truly making the world safer. The discussion begins with the high-profile legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI, highlighting tensions over the commercialization of AI originally founded as a non-profit. This sets the stage for a deeper dive into how major tech companies like Google and Palantir are now deeply involved in defense contracts, with Google signing a deal to provide AI for classified Pentagon use despite employee protests. Palantir, in contrast, has embraced a bold, patriotic stance, urging Silicon Valley to participate in national defense through its AI-driven data systems. The episode features a compelling interview with Julian Cracknell, CTO of BAE Systems, one of the world’s largest defense contractors, who explains how AI is already embedded in military systems—from stabilizing fighter jets to enabling drone control and accelerating design processes. He discusses the changing landscape of warfare, where low-cost, mass-produced drones are challenging expensive military hardware, and how the pace of technological adaptation has accelerated due to conflicts like Ukraine. While acknowledging the rise of autonomous systems and cyber warfare, Cracknell emphasizes that human oversight remains essential, and the future will likely involve hybrid models of human and machine collaboration rather than fully autonomous 'killer robots.' The episode concludes with a reflective tone, questioning whether AI is truly making us safer, given its dual potential for both revolutionary progress and dangerous misuse.