NATO Tests AI in Cyber Warfare Simulations
NATO’s Crossed Swords 2026 exercise integrates AI agents into cyber warfare training for future combat scenarios.
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NATO is integrating artificial intelligence into its cyber warfare training as part of the Crossed Swords 2026 exercise, which began in Tallinn, Estonia. The five-day simulation brings together over 250 participants from more than 40 countries to coordinate cyber operations with conventional military action, according to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE).
AI Agents Join Military Training
For the first time, participants are developing and deploying AI agents to operate alongside human military specialists during the exercise. The goal is to synchronize cyber operations with physical battlefield actions, enabling forces to exploit enemy network vulnerabilities at critical moments during combat.
Timing is crucial, as cyber operations must produce effects within minutes of physical military action rather than hours. Exercise director Jozef Kostelansky emphasized that AI is now involved on both sides of the conflict, though the systems do not currently have the authority to independently authorize attacks or select targets without human oversight.
OpenAI‘s Daybreak Technology Included
The exercise incorporates OpenAI’s Daybreak cybersecurity technology, which provides AI capabilities for identifying software vulnerabilities and analyzing malicious code. OpenAI has also committed $1 billion in subsidized access and training to help cybersecurity defenders protect critical infrastructure globally.
More than 20 organizations, including Mandiant, ESET, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, are supporting the exercise. Civilian infrastructure protection is another focus, with military cyber specialists collaborating with civilian partners to secure essential services during operational planning.
AI in NATO’s Future Warfare Strategy
NATO updated its AI strategy in July 2024 to emphasize interoperability, cooperation with private industry, and protection against adversarial AI capabilities. The alliance has recognized cyberspace as an operational domain since 2016, placing it alongside traditional military domains like land, sea, and air.
The Crossed Swords exercise has been held annually since 2014, with its scope expanding to include increasingly complex cyber operations. The CCDCOE, which is NATO-accredited but operates independently of the alliance’s formal command structure, is pushing the boundaries of how much autonomy machines could have in future conflicts.
Source: Daily Caller
