“Russia and Ukraine are inventing the future of war”: former Google CEO Eric Schmidt | The Economist

The rapid integration of AI and advanced drone technology in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is fundamentally altering modern warfare, shifting the battlefield toward a high-speed innovation race. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt highlights that Russia has adopted a "total war" strategy, utilizing mass-produced jet-powered drones and independently targeted glide bombs to neutralize Ukraine’s previous technological advantages. While Ukraine remains a hub for rapid, civilian-led innovation, success now depends on scaling these technologies and securing consistent Western financial and material support. Beyond the immediate front lines, the emergence of autonomous targeting and AI-driven decision-making poses significant risks, necessitating urgent international norms to ensure human oversight. As global powers navigate this escalatory environment, the central challenge lies in balancing rapid technological advancement with the ethical imperative to maintain human control over lethal military decisions.