Making Hybrid War Teachable and Learnable: Combining Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality in Military Education

Stian Kjeksrud; Silje Alette Engdal; Leif Martin Hokstad; Simone Grassini; Petter H. F. Lindqvist

doi:10.31374/sjms.414

Making Hybrid War Teachable and Learnable: Combining Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality in Military Education

Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies

Volume 9 (2026): Issue 1

By: Stian Kjeksrud , Silje Alette Engdal , Leif Martin Hokstad , Simone Grassini and Petter H. F. Lindqvist

Open Access

|Feb 2026

Abstract

This article explores how the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) within a single learning design may support military master’s students understanding of hybrid war. Drawing on threshold concepts, adult learning theory, immersive VR learning, and AI literacy, it examines a prototype application integrating a language model with a map-based virtual environment. The large language model is operationalized as an avatar with which students can discuss hybrid threats in a fictitious European context. We study how students engage with the tool as part of a red-teaming exercise. Notwithstanding issues affecting functional interaction, students demonstrate strong motivation and optimism for the use of technology. We find that the combination of AI and VR offers potential in the pedagogical context if the design acknowledges the specific strengths of each technology – AI as a responsive “guide on the side” and VR enhancing visualization and the student’s agency.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.414 | Journal eISSN: 2596-3856

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Language: English

Page range: 62 - 81

Submitted on: Apr 3, 2025

Accepted on: Jan 15, 2026

Published on: Feb 9, 2026

Published by: Scandinavian Military Studies

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

hybrid war,

virtual reality (VR),

artificial intelligence (AI),

generative language models

© 2026 Stian Kjeksrud, Silje Alette Engdal, Leif Martin Hokstad, Simone Grassini, Petter H. F. Lindqvist, published by Scandinavian Military Studies
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 9 (2026): Issue 1