Danish Defence is establishing an AI centre, the Defence AI Centre (FAIC, Forsvarets AI-Center), as a new unit under the Deputy Chief of Defence within the Defence Command Staff.

The Danish Defence Command (Forsvarskommandoen) states that the centre aims to increase combat capability by adapting the defence to developments in warfare and new technology, including artificial intelligence.

Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus has commented on the establishment:

"The effects of AI are already visible, including on the battlefield in Ukraine. The establishment of the Defence AI Centre will strengthen national security. AI is a cornerstone of a modern and high-technology defence. It is crucial that Defence invests in the technology, as it will, among other things, strengthen the use of autonomous systems. With the establishment of the Defence AI Centre, the defence has taken a necessary step to adapt to developments in warfare and new technology. This benefits both Danish and European security," says Bruus.

Chief of Defence General Michael Hyldgaard states that the centre will build competencies to enable faster observation, understanding, decision-making, and action than adversaries.

"Artificial intelligence only becomes combat capability when we understand, exploit, and integrate it," says Hyldgaard.

FAIC will consist of a staff element, a project office, and an AI laboratory. The laboratory will identify, develop, and implement AI solutions across the defence's various service branches and commands. The work will take place in dialogue with the defence's operational units, the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO, Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse), NATO allies, as well as industry and research. Earlier this year, the Norwegian Armed Forces announced a similar initiative to establish a new AI centre.

As part of the initiative, Danish Defence has entered into a collaboration with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and EIFO regarding access to the Danish AI supercomputer Gefion, which is located in Denmark and under Danish control, according to the Defence Command.

The next step is to launch and scale up the Defence AI Laboratory under FAIC for testing and development of AI solutions in collaboration with the defence's operational units, the Defence Command states.