* Freuding highlights lessons from Ukrainian command

posts using drones and sensors

* AI to serve as advisory tool, not replace human

decision-making

* Germany's AI systems to align with NATO standards,

consider U.S. solutions

By Sabine Siebold

BERLIN, March 25 (Reuters) - The German army is working

to accelerate wartime decision-making through artificial

intelligence tools capable of analysing battlefield data more

rapidly than humans, drawing lessons from Ukrainian and other

forces, its commander told Reuters.

Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, who became army chief

last October after years of overseeing Germany's arms supplies

to Kyiv, shared his insights from visits to Ukrainian command

posts where drones and modern sensors have drastically increased

the volume of battlefield data.

"The Ukrainians exploit data which they have collected over

four years of war. Based on this data, the AI can deduce how the

enemy has acted in similar situations in the past - and

recommend countermeasures," he said.

He noted that tasks now requiring hundreds of personnel and

days to complete could be sped up significantly through AI,

adding that conventional methods alone would never be enough to

"break the adversary's decision-making cycle".

Freuding suggested utilising data from Ukraine and from

German military exercises when training analytical tools,

ensuring alignment with Germany's operational principles.

Addressing ethical concerns, he emphasised that AI would

serve only as an advisory tool to facilitate human

decision-making.

"The task of taking analytical and balanced decisions will

always remain with the human, with the soldier," he said, adding

that while a specific AI product is yet to be selected, the

technology's deployment is a priority.

Freuding underscored the importance of aligning Germany's AI

systems with NATO's evolving standards. He did not rule out a

European-developed system, but said American solutions might

offer practical advantages due to their advanced deployment.

"Personally, I think it's important that we get something up

and running quickly. Of course, issues like data sovereignty and

security need to be taken into account," he added.

The U.S. army is fielding the AI tool Maven, made by the Silicon

Valley company Palantir ( PLTR ), to process battlefield data, including

imagery and video, to improve situational awareness and speed up

decision-making.