# FOI: VR and Generative AI Can Enhance Soldiers' Performance

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance
- Published: 2026-06-09
- Author: Jacob Wollheim
- Type: News · Section: Cyberspace · Country: sweden
- Language: en — machine translation from sv; the sv version is authoritative: https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/foi-vr-and-generative-ai-can-increase-soldiers-performance.md)
- Primary source: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/foi_-_totalforsvarets_forskningsinstitut/news/virtuella-verktyg-oekar-prestation-och-mental-motstaandskraft-hos-soldater-510205
- Tags: foi, försvarsmakten, virtual reality, generative ai, military training, stress inoculation, swedish armed forces

> FOI published a report on 8 June 2026 on how VR and generative AI can improve soldiers' performance and mental resilience during training.

![FOI: VR and Generative AI Can Enhance Soldiers' Performance](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/4b14b164-ee7c-4554-141e-0c14e1c9b900/public)
*FMV*

**The Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI, Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut) published a report on 8 June 2026 showing that virtual reality (VR) and generative artificial intelligence (AI) can improve soldiers' performance and mental resilience during training.**

[totalforsvaretsforskningsinstitut/news/virtuella-verktyg-oekar-prestation-och-mental-motstaandskraft-hos-soldater-510205">FOI reports]("https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/foi_-<em) that the research compared cadets who trained in virtual ship simulators with cadets who trained in real-world environments. Researcher Britta Levin states in the report: "Cadets showed similar physiological activation in both forms of training", which FOI indicates suggests that VR training can generate stress levels comparable to real operational conditions.

In a police study included in the report, officers who trained using VR ahead of a concert assignment demonstrated improved navigation ability and faster stress recovery compared with those who used paper maps. FOI notes that the officers "made fewer changes of direction and walked straighter routes".

FOI highlights several advantages of VR compared with traditional training: systematic stress induction in controlled environments, reduced requirements for physical space, and the possibility of objective measurement. The report also points to generative AI as a tool in training contexts. Researcher Katariina Blom states that the technology can "create scenarios for various types of training and produce instructional videos in realistic environments and actions".

FOI acknowledges that challenges remain regarding video length and realism, particularly where military-specific training data is limited. Combining traditional exercises with AI-enhanced training can, according to the report, create more flexible and cost-effective education and training.

## FAQ

**What did the FOI report on VR training for cadets in ship simulators show?**

FOI published a report on 8 June 2026 in which researcher Britta Levin found that cadets displayed similar physiological activation in both virtual ship simulators and real environments. This indicates that VR training can generate stress levels comparable to real operational conditions. The report compared cadets training in VR with cadets in real environments. Last fact-checked: 2026-06-09.

**How did police officers' performance improve after VR training ahead of concert assignments, according to the FOI report?**

Police officers who trained with VR ahead of a concert assignment demonstrated improved navigation ability and faster stress recovery compared to those who used paper maps. FOI specifically states that the officers made fewer changes of direction and walked straighter routes. The study is included in FOI's report on VR and generative AI from June 2026. Last fact-checked: 2026-06-09.

**What can generative AI contribute to military training, according to the FOI report from June 2026?**

According to the FOI report, generative AI can create scenarios for various types of training and produce instructional videos in realistic environments and situations, as highlighted by researcher Katariina Blom. However, FOI notes that challenges remain regarding video length and realism, particularly when military-specific training data is limited. Combining AI with traditional exercises can create more flexible and cost-effective training. Last fact-checked: 2026-06-09.

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