Author: Matthew Miller

South Korea Summit Aims to Reveal Strategic Framework for Integrating AI in Military Operations

Summary Overview

• South Korea convenes a summit aimed at crafting a responsible AI framework for military applications.
• Participation from over 90 nations, with notable attendance from the US and China, marked the two-day gathering.
• The initiative seeks non-binding accords, which lack enforcement authority.
• Military AI’s potential and hazards are underscored by the use of AI-enabled drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Topics for discussion entail legal adherence, oversight, and the prevention of autonomous weapon misapplication.
• The UN and other international organizations are actively pursuing regulations regarding military AI use.
• 55 countries have adopted a US-led declaration advocating for responsible military AI use.

Global Summit in Seoul: Establishing a Framework for Military AI

Recently, South Korea played host to an international summit focused on the creation of a strategic framework for the prudent use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military settings. The event saw the participation of over 90 countries, including significant players like the United States and China, but it is anticipated that the resulting framework will lack the power to enforce its guidelines.

This marks the second occurrence of such a summit, following a preliminary meeting in Amsterdam last year. At that event, several nations, comprising the US and China, expressed a cautious “call to action,” but without any binding obligations. With AI becoming increasingly prevalent in military systems globally, the stakes have escalated.

The Dual Nature of AI in Warfare

South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun underscored the importance of AI in military strategies, particularly amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine situation. Ukrainian military units have been utilizing AI-driven drones to gain a technological advantage over Russian forces. According to Kim, these drones, which can circumvent signal jamming and function in larger groups, act as a modern-day “David’s slingshot,” reminiscent of the biblical tale of David and Goliath.

Nevertheless, Kim cautioned that the application of AI in warfare is a double-edged weapon. While it can substantially boost military effectiveness, potential misuse or abuse may lead to unforeseen consequences, including harm to civilians. The imperative for proper regulation and oversight is paramount.

Legal Oversight and Ethical Issues

In emphasizing the summit’s objectives, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul noted the necessity of ensuring AI’s conformity to international laws. Concerns are particularly prevalent regarding autonomous weaponry making critical life-and-death decisions absent human input or supervision.

The framework under discussion seeks to introduce a fundamental set of safeguards for military AI use, echoing principles previously outlined by NATO, the US, and other global entities. However, it remains dubious how many nations will support the document, especially given its expected lack of legally binding commitments.

Global Dialogue on Military AI

The Seoul summit is not the singular international assembly tackling the dilemmas presented by AI in military contexts. The United Nations (UN) is concurrently engaged in dialogues under the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), aimed at managing lethal autonomous weaponry. These discussions aim to ensure that all AI-enabled military technologies adhere to existing international humanitarian standards.

Additionally, last year, the US government initiated a declaration advocating for the responsible application of AI in military settings. As of August, this declaration has received support from 55 countries, covering a broad spectrum of military AI functionalities beyond weapon systems.

Collaborative Efforts in AI Development

A distinctive feature of the Seoul summit is its focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration. Although much AI technological advancement emerges from the private sector, government entities are the main decision-makers regarding military applications. The summit brought together co-hosting nations, including the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the UK, to ensure that ongoing discussions engage all pertinent stakeholders, including private enterprises, academic institutions, and international organizations.

Participation numbered over 2,000 individuals from around the globe, with discussions spanning topics from civilian safeguards in AI-influenced conflict regions to the potential application of AI in nuclear weapon management.

Conclusion

The international summit in South Korea represents a vital advancement in formulating a responsible and ethical framework regarding AI’s military applications. While the developing framework lacks legal compulsion, it reflects an increasing global consciousness of the risks and opportunities associated with military AI. With the presence of over 90 nations, as well as private sector and academic representatives, the event serves as a significant platform for influencing the future of AI in the context of warfare.

Q: What is the primary objective of the South Korea summit?

A:

The summit is focused on creating a non-binding framework for the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in military contexts, addressing aspects such as legal compliance, human oversight, and ethical dilemmas linked to autonomous weapon systems.

Q: Why is the military application of AI referred to as a “double-edged sword”?

A:

AI markedly enhances military capabilities by facilitating technologies like autonomous drones and sophisticated decision-making frameworks. However, inappropriate use or the absence of oversight may result in unforeseen outcomes, such as civilian casualties and ethical breaches.

Q: Will the summit’s framework have any legal enforcement?

A:

No, the framework being formulated during the summit will not possess any binding legal authority. It serves mainly as a guideline or framework to promote responsible AI utilization in military contexts, but it does not include enforcement mechanisms.

Q: How does AI currently influence modern warfare, as demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?

A:

Ukrainian forces have utilized AI-facilitated drones to combat Russian military strategies. These drones can bypass signal interference and operate in larger clusters, offering a technological advantage in the ongoing conflict, yet their deployment raises ethical and oversight challenges.

Q: Are there additional international initiatives regulating AI in military contexts?

A:

Yes, the United Nations is engaging in discussions under the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), which targets lethal autonomous weapon systems. Furthermore, the US has introduced a declaration focused on responsible AI adoption in military scenarios, supported by 55 nations.

Q: Who else is contributing to the development of military AI regulations?

A:

The summit in Seoul is co-organized by nations such as the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the UK. It also includes input from private sector representatives, international organizations, and academic institutions, ensuring that a broad set of stakeholders influences the discussions.

Q: What significant topics were addressed at the summit?

A:

Notable discussion points included civilian safety in AI-enabled conflict environments, the ethical employment of autonomous weaponry, and the potential role of AI in managing nuclear arms.

Coles Group Improves Cost Management for Enterprise Applications with In-Depth TCO Analysis

Quick Overview

• Coles Group is concentrating on assessing the total cost of ownership (TCO) for its enterprise applications.
• The retailer utilizes Apptio’s Cloudability for managing cloud expenses, with intentions to broaden its application to other cost dimensions.
• Coles is integrating costs related to personnel, support, infrastructure, and licensing into its TCO assessments.
• These findings are aiding Coles in optimizing application management and evaluating the consolidation or retirement of underutilized applications.
• IBM’s acquisition of Apptio in 2023 has further strengthened the tool’s functionality for enterprise cost management.

Reasons Coles Group is Emphasizing TCO for Enterprise Applications

Coles Group, among Australia’s leading retailers, is making substantial progress in refining its cost management approach by acquiring a deeper insight into the total cost of ownership (TCO) for its enterprise applications. This effort aims to ensure that all cost factors—such as personnel, support services, infrastructure, and licensing—are included, thus rendering a clearer financial overview for each application.

Beyond Cloud Cost Management

Since 2021, Coles has employed Apptio’s Cloudability tool for overseeing its Azure cloud expenses. Nevertheless, the company is now extending its focus beyond merely cloud costs to grasp the complete TCO of its applications. This approach involves incorporating additional costs like shared infrastructure, outsourced support, and personnel expenses.

Daniel Nicholson, Coles’ Head of Architecture, noted that while the organization had detailed analyses of its cloud expenditure, linking those expenses directly to specific applications was challenging. To remedy this, Coles is utilizing the full range of Apptio tools to improve its cost attribution abilities.

IBM’s Acquisition of Apptio

In mid-2023, IBM revealed its acquisition of Apptio, emphasizing the increasing significance of cost management solutions for businesses. Apptio’s suite of tools offers organizations visibility into their IT investments, facilitating the connection of expenses to business results. For Coles, this acquisition might lead to greater advancements in leveraging Apptio for managing its enterprise applications.

Examining the TCO Components

Previously, Coles could only approximate the TCO for its applications, mainly based on contracts and broad cost allocations. Now, the retailer has begun to incorporate more detailed costs, including:

• Personnel Costs: Coles can now assess the standard support costs related to application management, considering the number of personnel involved.
• Shared Platform Costs: Certain applications rely on shared database platforms or cloud services, allowing Coles to attribute these costs more effectively.
• Outsourced Support: Expenses from external partners like Accenture and IBM are now included in the TCO calculation.

These comprehensive insights enable Coles to maintain a 12-month trailing TCO for each application, with this data stored in its enterprise architecture system, which operates on LeanIX, a platform designed to manage the complexity of an organization’s IT framework.

Effects on Business Decisions

Through a deeper understanding of the TCO associated with each application, Coles can engage in more informed discussions with its business units. For instance, if a specific application is not being fully utilized but incurs substantial costs, the company can initiate discussions about consolidating applications or even decommissioning those that have outlived their utility.

This capability is increasingly crucial in today’s competitive retail landscape, where cost efficiency is paramount to sustaining profitability. With a clearer understanding of its IT expenditures, Coles can make smarter choices regarding resource allocation and optimizing its application portfolio.

Improved IT and Finance Alignment

A primary motivator for Coles’ emphasis on TCO is the need for enhanced alignment between IT and finance departments. As per Nicholson, the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and IT Finance teams are eager to comprehend the actual costs linked to application operations. This clarity has been made possible through the detailed breakdowns offered by Apptio and LeanIX.

With these insights, Coles can more effectively illustrate how technology costs directly bolster internal capabilities and business outcomes. This alignment fosters more strategic dialogues between IT and the wider business.

Conclusion

Coles Group is advancing its enterprise cost management approaches by acquiring a more nuanced understanding of the total cost of ownership (TCO) for its applications. By utilizing Apptio and LeanIX, the retailer can now factor in personnel, support, infrastructure, and licensing expenses in its TCO analyses. This facilitates the optimization of its application portfolio, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently. With IBM’s acquisition of Apptio in 2023, Coles is set to further capitalize on cutting-edge tools to oversee and manage its IT costs.

Q&A

Q: What is TCO, and why is it significant for Coles Group?

A:

TCO stands for Total Cost of Ownership. It encompasses the entire cost associated with owning and operating an application, including not only licensing but also personnel, support, shared platforms, and infrastructure. For Coles, comprehending TCO is vital for making educated choices regarding resource distribution and possible application consolidations or retirements.

Q: How does Apptio assist Coles with TCO management?

A:

Apptio is a cost management platform that allows companies to track their IT expenditures. Coles utilizes Apptio’s Cloudability to oversee cloud usage costs and is now broadening its application of Apptio to assess the total cost of ownership for other segments of its IT framework, such as shared services and personnel expenses.

Q: How does IBM’s acquisition of Apptio influence Coles’ cost management strategy?

A:

The acquisition of Apptio by IBM in 2023 could enhance the platform’s functionality, equipping Coles with more powerful tools for managing and optimizing its IT expenditures. This acquisition may pave the way for further innovations in how Coles monitors and governs the TCO of its enterprise applications.

Q: How does understanding TCO benefit the business and IT teams at Coles?

A:

By comprehending the comprehensive costs of running each application, Coles can achieve better synergy between its IT and finance teams. This facilitates more strategic discussions about resource distribution, application consolidation, and cost-saving measures, ultimately assisting the company in optimizing its IT investments.

Q: What role does LeanIX play in Coles’ TCO management?

A:

LeanIX is an enterprise architecture management tool that aids Coles in tracking and overseeing its IT landscape. By utilizing LeanIX, the retailer can store and manage the 12-month trailing TCO for each application, providing decision-makers with a clear overview of how IT investments are supporting business functions.