Elliot Ackerman, a retired American serviceman turned novelist, believes that in the future, technology may become the most significant source of national power, surpassing military strength and economic prowess. Ackerman, drawing on his experience in the U.S. Marine Corps, co-authored a novel titled “2054” with retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis. The book explores a world transformed by technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, gene manipulation, and quantum computing. The authors predict that countries that harness these technologies first will have a significant advantage over their rivals.
The novel “2054” envisions a world where nations compete for technological supremacy, leading to a new form of power struggle. Utilizing artificial intelligence can enhance decision-making, increase operational efficiency, and improve surveillance and reconnaissance. However, challenges such as cybersecurity threats, legal considerations for AI use in combat, and maintaining a balance between machine autonomy and human oversight remain key concerns. The novel also explores the concept of achieving the Singularity, where machine and human learning integrate into a single consciousness, leading to an “intelligence explosion.”
Ackerman believes that AI will significantly impact the way wars are fought in the future, transforming military strategies from targeting to command and control. However, he acknowledges ethical challenges related to the use of AI in warfare, including questions about who controls lethal force and the delegation of decision-making to algorithms. Ackerman highlights the changing nature of warfare, citing the conflict in Ukraine as an example of a new type of warfare that differs from past conflicts.
“2054” incorporates technological advances like suborbital flight for faster travel, creating a richly built world that bridges the present and future depicted in the novel. The authors aimed to strike a balance between extrapolating technological changes and serving the story without distracting readers. Ackerman’s background as a journalist and novelist influences his approach to storytelling, as he aims to pose questions and provoke thought instead of providing definitive answers. The novel explores the intersection of technology, international relations, and ethical dilemmas in a future where nations vie for global dominance through technological innovation.
In the future, Ackerman predicts that nations will form tech alliances to gain an edge in the global arena, with technology emerging as the primary source of power. The competition for technological supremacy may lead to a new era of international relations defined by advancements in AI, gene manipulation, and quantum computing. As countries strive to outpace their rivals, the balance between technological innovation, ethics, and human oversight will be crucial in shaping the future of warfare and national security. Ackerman’s novel “2054” serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the potential consequences of technological advancements on geopolitics and military strategy.
