The German army is aiming to speed up wartime decision-making using artificial intelligence tools that can analyse battlefield data faster than humans. The army’s commander said this effort draws lessons from Ukrainian and other forces.

Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, who became army chief last October after years of overseeing Germany's arms supplies to Kyiv, shared his insights from visits to Ukrainian command posts where drones and modern sensors have drastically increased the volume of battlefield data.

"The Ukrainians exploit data which they have collected over four years of war. Based on this data, the AI can deduce how the enemy has acted in similar situations in the past - and recommend countermeasures," he said.

He noted that tasks now requiring hundreds of personnel and days to complete could be sped up significantly through AI, adding that conventional methods alone would never be enough to "break the adversary's decision-making cycle".

Freuding suggested utilising data from Ukraine and from German military exercises when training analytical tools, ensuring alignment with Germany's operational principles.

Addressing ethical concerns, he emphasised that AI would serve only as an advisory tool to facilitate human decision-making.

"The task of taking analytical and balanced decisions will always remain with the human, with the soldier," he said, adding that while a specific AI product is yet to be selected, the technology's deployment is a priority.

Freuding underscored the importance of aligning Germany's AI systems with NATO's evolving standards. He did not rule out a European-developed system, but said American solutions might offer practical advantages due to their advanced deployment.

"Personally, I think it's important that we get something up and running quickly. Of course, issues like data sovereignty and security need to be taken into account," he added.

The US army is fielding the AI tool Maven, made by the Silicon Valley company Palantir, to process battlefield data, including imagery and video, to improve situational awareness and speed up decision-making.

It’s not just AI: Germany explores defense uses for lasers

It’s not just AI and speed that the German army could benefit from. It’s lasers with potential military and medical uses, too.

German startup Marvel Fusion is exploring new applications for its laser technology, including defense, healthcare, and industry, according to a Bloomberg report published on Wednesday.

For instance, the company’s laser systems could be used to disable drones.

Marvel Fusion is on the lookout for investors, and some meetings have already happened. The company’s long-term goal is to develop nuclear fusion energy. It’s the same process that powers the Sun, but in the case of Marvel Fusion, the company’s tech would be using it to power lasers and magnets to generate clean energy.

The technology could help meet rising power demand, which has surged due to the usage of AI, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company hopes to commercialize nuclear fusion by the mid 2030s.

In the meantime, Marvel Fusion is betting its lasers can generate revenue long before fusion becomes a reality, as Germany (as well as other European countries) sees growing demand for military applications.

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