War Virtually: The Quest to Automate Conflict, Militarize Data, and Predict the Future

by Roberto J. González

A critical look at how the US military is weaponizing technology and data for new kinds of warfare—and why we must resist.

War Virtually is the story of how scientists, programmers, and engineers are racing to develop data-driven technologies for fighting virtual wars, both at home and abroad. In this landmark book, Roberto J. González gives us a lucid and gripping account of what lies behind the autonomous weapons, robotic systems, predictive modeling software, advanced surveillance programs, and psyops techniques that are transforming the nature of military conflict. González, a cultural anthropologist, takes a critical approach to the techno-utopian view of these advancements and their dubious promise of a less deadly and more efficient warfare.  
With clear, accessible prose, this book exposes the high-tech underpinnings of contemporary military operations—and the cultural assumptions they're built on. Chapters cover automated battlefield robotics; social scientists' involvement in experimental defense research; the blurred line between political consulting and propaganda in the internet era; and the military's use of big data to craft new counterinsurgency methods based on predicting conflict. González also lays bare the processes by which the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies have quietly joined forces with Big Tech, raising an alarming that someday Google, Amazon, and other Silicon Valley firms might merge with some of the world's biggest defense contractors. War Virtually takes an unflinching look at an algorithmic future—where new military technologies threaten democratic governance and human survival.

Genres: Science

270 pages, Hardcover

Published April 5, 2022

Reviews

[Quinn Monette · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'd take the conclusions a bit further, a crucial read to understanding the usual suspects in the ongoing, so-called war on terror, especially in uncovering the increasing enmeshment of silicon valley firms like Anduril, Palantir, In-Q-Tel (a CIA front), etc with the defense industry. If you're curious about the automation of war--drones are just the beginning--read this book. Almost loses a star for calling Elon a "tech luminary," but forgivable given the author's antiwar commitments.

[Matt Beaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look into the pitfalls of techno-optimism and militarization. It describes a world, using methods of anthropology, to investigate our over-reliance and blind faith in data tools to determine who to kill. It offers glimmers of hope by highlighting the worker backlash at "Big Tech" companies that offer services and products to produce weapons of war instead of search engines, social networks, online shopping, etc.. Most of all, it is a warning that any tech can and will be used against you in the field of war.

[VICKY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Data is not a “gift” any more, it’s a product. It’s an informative book about the giant tech company and the Pentagon. Dark magic, body enhancement is not a sci-fi story, it’s really happened.