General AI set to power smarter, more coordinated operations

African Lion 26, the US led wargame, is the continent’s largest international military exercise. This exercise has showcased how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping multinational military operations by embedding advanced systems directly into operational environments. Held across four countries—Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia—the exercise brought together more than 5,600 civilian and military participants from over 40 nations.At the Southern Zone headquarters in Agadir, Morocco, the Combined Joint Task Force demonstrated real-time monitoring of tactical activities using AI-enhanced platforms. These systems enabled seamless information sharing among allied and partner forces via an unclassified network, producing an open-source common operational picture and ensuring cohesive multinational operations.The exercise went beyond tactical execution to test and validate AI-enabled tools in live settings. Industry partners worked alongside service members to integrate autonomous platforms, advanced communications systems and AI-driven decision‑support tools. AI played a central role in achieving decision dominance: machine-learning algorithms applied to operational targeting and coalition command shortened the sensor-to-shooter cycle, enabling faster, more precise responses. Remote systems and autonomous platforms were evaluated in attack, defense and mission-command scenarios, offering cost-effective, adaptable solutions for future conflicts. This helped US, NATO and Moroccan forces maintain a unified operating picture in real time.Beyond technology, African Lion 26 emphasized the human dimension of multinational cooperation. AI-enabled systems supported real-world search efforts during the exercise, reinforcing trust and solidarity among participants. The integration of advanced technologies into coalition operations highlighted how AI can enhance interoperability, readiness and resilience while aligning with African partners’ security priorities. As the largest multinational exercise in Africa, African Lion 26 demonstrated that AI is now a central element of multi-domain operations. The US and Israel have used AI during operations in Iran, and India employed AI during the kinetic phase of Operation Sindoor in May last year. Efforts are now underway to expand AI’s role in both combat and shaping operations.