Lithuanian defence minister proposes wider AI use and cyber conscription

Lithuania aims to expand the use of artificial intelligence in its defence system and is considering a form of cyber conscription, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said at the fifth National Cybersecurity and Resilience Forum, LRT reported, citing the Defence Ministry.

Kaunas said AI tools could automate repetitive tasks, reduce employees’ administrative workload and improve data management. To protect information, the ministry plans to apply a “traffic light” system: green data could be processed using AI, yellow data would face additional restrictions, and sensitive red data would require secure, closed technological solutions.

The minister also wants to modernise the ministry’s information systems so key performance indicators, projects and their progress can be viewed in one place.

Kaunas presented the idea of cyber conscription to bring more information technology, programming, systems administration and cybersecurity specialists into national defence. Their skills could also be used by people who cannot complete regular military service because of health or other circumstances. The practical options still need to be assessed with military specialists.

Technology integration is also important for a planned unified airspace monitoring and control system, Kaunas said. It would combine data from radars, cameras, acoustic sensors and other devices. The aim is to identify detected objects, assess potential threats and decide how to respond more quickly. In time, the system could also connect detection and response measures and automate some processes. Lithuanian technology companies are being invited to contribute.

Kaunas said technological development often moves faster than public procurement processes. “Sometimes the thing being purchased starts to become outdated before the procurement process is over,” he said, adding that a better balance was needed between regulation, transparency and speed.

The minister said digitising the defence system was one of his priorities, with technological changes intended to reduce administrative work, strengthen defence capabilities and speed up decision-making.