Iran's supreme leader calls for greater use of AI to strengthen security

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has advocated for increased investment in artificial intelligence and advanced technology to bolster the nation's security forces. Addressing National Police Week, Khamenei emphasized the importance of enhancing personnel, equipment, and technology, particularly the application of AI in data analysis, to improve the police force's capabilities.

He also commended the security forces for maintaining order amidst repeated attacks from the United States and Israel. Khamenei alleged that these attacks aimed to undermine, yet he acknowledged the forces' resilience in fulfilling their duties. Reports from late last year indicated Iran's plans to incorporate AI into its armed forces and security apparatus, despite sanctions limiting access to advanced AI chips.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly utilized AI in domestically developed drones during military exercises, showcasing the country's commitment to AI integration. Iran aims to become one of the top 10 AI powers globally by 2032, with AI contributing 12 percent to its GDP. This push to integrate AI into defense systems intensified following Iran's first direct military confrontation with Israel in 2024.

Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, deputy chief of staff, described AI as "one of our priorities to maximize our defensive power." The United States has also employed AI in its war against Iran, using it to swiftly analyze vast amounts of data for decision-making purposes. However, the bombing of an elementary school in Minab, which resulted in over 150 deaths, including many schoolgirls, sparked questions about the role of AI in military operations.

A Bloomberg report suggested that overreliance on AI tools, combined with outdated intelligence and imagery, contributed to the attack, though the Pentagon's investigation findings remain undisclosed.