Written by: Berk Büyükarslan

Supervised by: Benjamin Robitaille

Edited by: Anne-Sophie Cubert

Abstract

This paper explores the evolving landscape of intelligentised warfare, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), cybernetics, and cognitive warfare into modern military strategy. It examines how China and the European Union (EU) approach AI-driven military development, highlighting the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) intelligentised warfare doctrine, its emphasis on autonomous systems, AI-enhanced command structures and information dominance, as well as its strategic implications for Taiwan and future conflicts. Meanwhile, Europe’s perspective is shaped by ethical AI governance, NATO’s military AI strategy, and cognitive warfare countermeasures, reflecting tensions between technological sovereignty and regulatory constraints. The study also investigates the role of cybernetic control loops in AI warfare, the PLA’s cyber transformation, and the impact of AI-enabled disinformation, deepfake propaganda, and automated battlefield logistics on military engagement. Ultimately, the paper argues that intelligentised warfare represents not just an evolution in military technology but a fundamental shift in the nature of conflict, where the lines between physical war, cyber operations, and psychological warfare are increasingly blurred . The findings underscore the need for robust international AI governance to mitigate risks associated with autonomous military escalation and cognitive warfare strategies.