The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) announced on 1 January 2025 that it has established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomy Administration, having inaugurated it the previous day.
Operating under the IMOD’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), the AI and Autonomy Administration will spearhead research, development, and force build-up efforts in AI and autonomous systems across all branches of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The initiative, established in partnership with the IDF, joins other successful defence development frameworks in transforming battlefield capabilities to maintain the IDF’s operational edge.
The new administration, initiated by IMOD Director General Major General (Res) Eyal Zamir, aims to centralise and advance AI and autonomous capabilities within Israel’s defense establishment. It will bring together experts from IDF technological units, academia, defence companies and startups with the goal of achieving “unprecedented operational and technological breakthroughs”, according to the IMOD.
Zamir stated at the inauguration of the AI and Autonomy Administration that it “marks a historic milestone in military innovation. It represents our first new administration in over two decades. When I assumed my role two years ago, I recognised the need for a dedicated entity to drive operational, intelligence and technological breakthroughs in AI and autonomy. The capabilities we develop will enhance our operational superiority while reducing casualties, increasing operational tempo, and optimising resource utilisation. Our future battlefield will see integrated teams of soldiers and autonomous systems working in concert. We remain committed to investing in ground, air, naval, intelligence and space capabilities, providing our forces with cutting-edge technologies that amplify their effectiveness.”
The head of the DDR&D, Brigadier General (Ret) Dr Daniel Gold, added, “Our mission is clear: to achieve global leadership in military AI and autonomy. Building on years of successful research and development collaboration with the IDF, this administration will unite stakeholders from researchers to operators under one roof. We will work synergistically with other development administrations while fostering partnerships across Israel’s civilian tech sector, from established industries to innovative startups.”
