Autopsy of a Future War - Modern War Institute

Editor's note: In concert with the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum's Project Gutenberg, a futurist imagines a post-mortem on an artificial intelligence-aided Chinese invasion. The Department of Defense's chief testified before Congress, revealing details of China's efforts to deter the United States during last year's invasion of Taiwan. WASHINGTON -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army shocked the world last November when they activated nearly two million reservists, mobilized the People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia, and executed a surprisingly successful cross-strait invasion of Taiwan. In a marathon day of testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Secretary of Defense Barry McDermott revealed how the PLA's cyber branch used artificial intelligence and the "internet of things" to help Chinese conventional forces achieve strategic military aims far from the conventional battlefield in Taiwan. McDermott told committee members the artificial-intelligence capabilities China employed will force a redefinition of "the battlefield" and must change how the US military trains for future conflict.