Abstract:
The complex nature of contemporary conflicts calls for a shift in the training of UN peacekeepers. The conventional approaches, though essential, tend not to equip peacekeepers with the skills to confront asymmetric warfare, cyber-attacks, and cultural nuances in war-torn areas. This research delves into the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) simulations for peacekeeping training, with an emphasis on their efficacy in improving decision-making, situational awareness, and cross-cultural competency.
Through qualitative research methodology, 14 officers and 3 professional trainers at the Peacekeeping Training Centre (CIPS) of Pakistan were interviewed to gather data. The results indicate that AI-based training modules greatly enhance tactical preparedness, crisis management, and negotiation competencies by subjecting trainees to realistic, high-stress conflict simulations. Predictive models fueled by AI aid in the detection of early conflict through monitoring social media trends, satellite images, and intelligence reports, allowing peacekeepers to anticipate threats and send preventive responses. VR-based immersive environments also increase peacekeepers' cultural flexibility and ethical decision-making, minimizing the risk of mission failure through miscommunication or misjudgment.
In spite of these benefits, there are challenges such as high costs of implementation, risks of data security, algorithmic biases, and the necessity for standardized AI training procedures. The research concludes that while AI and VR can transform peacekeeping training, their effective integration calls for strategic investment, ethical standards, and human monitoring.
This study adds to the increasing literature on AI in global peace missions, offering policy suggestions for UN peacekeeping training initiatives. Future research should aim at long-term assessments of AI and VR efficacy in real peacekeeping missions and investigate partnerships among AI developers, policymakers, and military training schools to maximize the scalability and effectiveness of technology-based training.
