GLOBAL WOLF
In a landscape marked by chaos and relentless change, tech companies are pivoting rapidly, harnessing the unique conditions of modern warfare as an experimental playground for their cutting-edge innovations. This harrowing drive into conflict zones, however, raises unsettling questions about ethics, oversight, and the very nature of warfare itself.
Bear witness to businesses like Clearview AI, which has provisioned Ukraine with its controversial facial recognition technology. The intention? To aid in identifying casualties from Russia’s ongoing assault. But this initiative opens the floodgates to moral dilemmas—issues of accuracy loom large, as do concerns over privacy and the infringement of human rights. The specter of mishandling information during wartime is not just a trivial concern—it could well constitute a breach of the Geneva Convention itself.
Some of the titans of the tech world—like Palantir’s CEO, Alex Karp, and Eric Schmidt, the former head of Google now venturing into military tech—seem to be intentionally reshaping the global framework surrounding artificial intelligence in combat. Concerningly, their innovations could potentially lead to the deployment of autonomous “killer robots,” raising alarms among experts globally.
The narrative of wartime innovation doesn’t stop there. Take the stark contrast in bureaucracy found in Ukraine. As LMT’s Pollaks describes it, navigating obstacles in the EU can feel like maneuvering a minefield—approval processes stretch endlessly, often taking years. In Ukraine, however, that red tape is severely loosened, inviting a plethora of tech trials to take place in a hurry. “Ukraine, unfortunately, is the best defense technology experimentation ground in the world right now,” Pollaks asserts decisively. “If you are not in Ukraine, then you are not in the defense business.”
Jack Wang, a principal at Project A—a venture capital fund with its sights set on military-tech ventures—confirms the fruitful prospects that lie in this Ukrainian ‘track.’ “Selling to Ukraine means rapid iterations of products and technologies, propelled by real battlefield testing,” he explains. “The financial returns? They fluctuate immensely. But the speed at which you can deploy your technology is unparalleled.”
These frontline experiences yield invaluable insights. Atlas Dynamics, for instance, has established a presence in Ukraine, collaborating closely with soldiers to refine their aerial technology. When confronted with Russian electronic warfare designed to jam communications, Atlas applied ingenuity to develop a frequency-hopping system that empowers drones to adapt—scanning for open channels and maintaining operational efficacy, thereby keeping Ukrainian forces a step ahead of their adversaries.
Meanwhile, Global Wolf’s experiments with the Mosphera have spurred significant innovations based on real-time feedback from the combat zone. What began as an effort to solve basic logistical challenges evolved into something more—soldiers discovered that the Mosphera could shuttle critical supplies swiftly over rough terrain, akin to how urban scooters revolutionized last-mile delivery within cities. This prompted Global Wolf to adapt the Mosphera’s trailer design to accommodate NATO standard-sized ammunition boxes, facilitating smoother resupply efforts.
On the battlefield, adaptability reigns supreme. Some snipers have opted for the electric Mosphera over traditional, clanging motorbikes—enabling stealthy movements through dense cover. Yet, the need to engage targets while on the move became apparent—leading to the introduction of stable seating solutions, allowing sharpshooters the luxury of not dismounting to fire accurately. Additional modifications, like infrared lighting, sprang from direct input from end users, driving a cycle of continuous improvement. “It’s akin to customizing a car—whether you want heated seats or air conditioning, the possibilities are endless,” says Asmanis, highlighting the spirit of innovation that thrives in the chaos of war.
