"AI-Centric Warfare: From Myth to Reality?"
By Mr. Benjamin Chauvet (Ministry of the Armed Forces)

Free entry, no registration required

Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) is a rapidly growing sector in France today. Its conceptual origins trace back to the United States in the 1980s, and its use was significantly reinforced with the establishment of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in 2003, which defined both its nature and applications. According to its doctrine, GEOINT is the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually represent physical features and geographically referenced activities on Earth (Geospatial Intelligence in Joint Operations, Joint Publication 2-03, October 2017). It is based on satellite imagery and geolocated data of both physical spaces and human activities, supplemented by additional information for purposes of national defense and security.

GEOINT thus represents the integration of existing practices with the ongoing advancement of digital technologies, which enable new forms of knowledge production: mapping, satellite imagery, data fusion from multiple geographic sensors, real-time geolocation, and geopolitical analysis. As such, it has become a synthesizing discipline at the intersection of cartographic representation, spatial analysis, and intelligence. It carries transformative potential that extends beyond the military domain, as it contributes to reshaping the very conception of geography—that is, the study of the relationship between space and societies.

At the same time, the growth of data (Big Data) is driving the development of new industrial solutions that offer unprecedented opportunities for information exploitation. These technological developments reflect a shift from a GEOINT dedicated strictly to intelligence toward one with increasingly civilian applications, opening up new possibilities across all sectors. One of the most important areas of growth concerns the new infrastructures powered by Artificial Intelligence, which are now widely embedded in both military and civilian systems.

AI technologies (machine learning, deep learning) address informational constraints by enabling automated detection of weak signals through satellite image processing. For instance, AI-powered tools can detect patterns of life (changes in mapped features) or perform object recognition in optical images, significantly improving speed and efficiency. The sector of geolocated data producers has grown, contributing to a wide array of new services. Advances include embedded AI on satellites for onboard data processing, modernized communication systems and transmission channels, improved geographic information system (GIS) software, enhanced geopolitical analysis capabilities, and a proliferation of sensors (e.g., IoT devices, social media, drones), all of which contribute to the expanding potential of contemporary GEOINT.

This process has become a force multiplier in current GEOINT activities. Since the 2020s, the trend has been toward improving data transport and onboard cloud capabilities, satellite-to-satellite connectivity, sensor-level data processing enabled by embedded Artificial Intelligence, and the emergence of comprehensive service offerings. As a result, geospatial exploitation is entering a new phase of expansion, driven by the increasing number and diversity of sensors.

Where does GEOINT stand in France in the age of Artificial Intelligence?

This seminar continues the discussions initiated in 2013 on the relationship between GEOINT, geography, and defense. Speakers from the defense industry, government ministries, and private companies will explore GEOINT as a critical field of expertise—essential not only for military operations but also for fast-growing economic sectors.