Data is the new high ground. Lance's Legion and I continue the discussion on the PLA’s Information Support Force and Palantir. This week we’re talking about the technical side: data, information, and the roles each plays in geopolitical strategy.
We go into how data aggregation and processing is reshaping the modern the machinery of war: data and information. From the shift toward computational autocracy to the weaponization of information, we explore a future where sovereignty is defined by code and conflicts are decided long before the first shot is fired.
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We discuss:
Data aggregation is crucial for understanding warfare dynamics.
Why the five V’s of data—velocity, volume, value, variety, and veracity are a key part of modern info and data war in the age of AI.
How AI and data processing enhance decision-making capabilities in military contexts.
Why human involvement remains vital in data war despite living in an age of AI.
How Information warfare plays a significant role in shaping political narratives.
Why The future of warfare will increasingly rely on data and technology.
The role of data in the calculus of military engagement and autocracy.
The internet may become more regionally and politically fragmented.
Why understanding data relationships is key to effective military strategy.
How the role of private companies in national security is growing.
Where to find Lance Legion:
Substack:
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Data Aggregation in Warfare
06:15 The Five V’s of Data
11:47 The Role of Information in Political Control
18:26 The Evolution of Warfare and Technology
24:55 Data Processing and Decision Intelligence
31:51 Human in the Loop vs. Autonomous Systems
40:35 The Impact of Data on Military Strategy
49:00 The Future of Warfare and Autocracy
55:47 Information Warfare and Narrative Control
Mentions during the episode:
PLA Data Support Force: https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2024/05/chinas-new-information-support-force/
PLA’s Strategic Support Force: https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=china-strategic-perspectives
Palantir’s Gotham: https://medium.com/@k3vin.andrews1/palantir-gotham-from-9-11-to-ai-d875d039d55b
Palantir’s Foundry: https://medium.com/@adiodejiroheem/learning-palantir-foundry-as-an-engineer-a-deep-dive-into-ontologies-pipelines-and-adaptability-05056f0f8005
Military Concepts
The Three Warfares (三种战法): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_warfares
Fifth Dimension Operations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_dimension_operations
Information and Data War Doctrine from Japanese Self Defense Force (Japanese):
https://www.nids.mod.go.jp/publication/commentary/commentary267.htmlKill Chain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_chain_(military)
AI & The Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP)
Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Military Decision-Making Process: Marine Corps University Press: AI-Enabled MDMP
Decision-Based AI and the Strategic Reordering of Military Power: National Defense University: Decision-Based AI
AI-Driven Data Management:
Data Concepts
What is an ontology?: https://www.ontotext.com/knowledgehub/fundamentals/what-are-ontologies/
The 5 V’s of Big Data: IBM: The 5 V’s of Big Data
Human-in-the-Loop (HITL): IBM: What is Human-in-the-Loop?
Geopolitics & Historical Context
Arab Spring & Social Media: Brookings Institution: The Role of Social Media in the Arab Uprisings
Japan Self-Defense Forces Demographic Crisis: The Diplomat: The JSDF’s Recruiting Crisis
Electronic Warfare & Radar Spoofing: C4ISRNet: Electronic Warfare News & Insights
