Abstract
In a digital epoch where cyberspace is the emerging nexus of geopolitical
contention, the melding of information operations and Large Language Models
(LLMs) heralds a paradigm shift, replete with immense opportunities and
intricate challenges. As tools like the Mistral 7B LLM (Mistral, 2023)
democratise access to LLM capabilities (Jin et al., 2023), a vast spectrum of
actors, from sovereign nations to rogue entities (Howard et al., 2023), find
themselves equipped with potent narrative-shaping instruments (Goldstein et
al., 2023). This paper puts forth a framework for navigating this brave new
world in the "ClausewitzGPT" equation. This novel formulation not only seeks to
quantify the risks inherent in machine-speed LLM-augmented operations but also
underscores the vital role of autonomous AI agents (Wang, Xie, et al., 2023).
These agents, embodying ethical considerations (Hendrycks et al., 2021), emerge
as indispensable components (Wang, Ma, et al., 2023), ensuring that as we race
forward, we do not lose sight of moral compasses and societal imperatives.
Mathematically underpinned and inspired by the timeless tenets of
Clausewitz's military strategy (Clausewitz, 1832), this thesis delves into the
intricate dynamics of AI-augmented information operations. With references to
recent findings and research (Department of State, 2023), it highlights the
staggering year-on-year growth of AI information campaigns (Evgeny Pashentsev,
2023), stressing the urgency of our current juncture. The synthesis of
Enlightenment thinking, and Clausewitz's principles provides a foundational
lens, emphasising the imperative of clear strategic vision, ethical
considerations, and holistic understanding in the face of rapid technological
advancement.