Integrating AI into the modern wargame

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Racheal Balke conducted a wargaming event using AI tools as part of an ongoing deployment readiness exercise in Vicenza, Italy, Sep. 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Brian Andries)

By Thad D. Weist, Skyler G. Kepley and Braxton C. Musgrove • Feb 10, 2026

The character of warfare is in a state of perpetual evolution, demanding that our Army not only keep pace but also actively seek a decisive edge through technological superiority. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) represents the next frontier in this pursuit. While the concept may seem abstract, recent practical applications at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) have provided a concrete blueprint for how Large Language Models (LLMs) can revolutionize staff wargaming.

An article published at Small Wars Journal outlines the key findings and lessons learned from an experiment that leveraged AI to enhance the speed, depth, and rigor of Course of Action (COA) analysis, offering a model for the wider force.

The exploration demonstrated that when properly resourced and guided, AI can serve as a powerful cognitive partner for a staff. However, its successful integration is not a simple matter of “plug-and-play.” It requires a deliberate methodology centered on three pillars: building a robust analytical framework, executing a human-centric wargame, and embracing an iterative learning process.