Artificial intelligence belongs to the rapidly developing technological spheres and in the future will have significant consequences for both national security and defense capability. For many countries of the world, artificial intelligence has become one of the key priorities for the development of the defense complex. The article is aimed at identifying the main directions of the use of artificial intelligence in ensuring the country’s defense capability. The methodological basis of the article is literature review and analysis of general trends in the development of artificial intelligence technologies. The evolution of artificial intelligence was researched, which allowed to determine the following stages: the emergence of expert systems; development of machine and statistical training; development of the conception and technology of deep learning and contextual adaptation. Gartner’s predictions on the development of artificial intelligence technologies are analyzed and it is defined that the influence of deep learning methods, neuromorphic computing that simulate the neural structure and work of the human brain, competitive machine learning methods, analytics methods known as «small data» and «broad data» will increase in the future. The article analyzes the report «Science & Technology Trends 2020-2040» by the NATO Science and Technology Organization, substantiating the importance of using artificial intelligence to develop military capabilities, form strategic priorities in the sphere of weapons development and political decision-making. It is determined that the formation and development of military potential is expected to experience an increased impact of embedded artificial intelligence in the nuclear, aerospace, cybernetic technologies, technologies for the development of new materials and biotechnology; virtual/augmented reality; quantum computing; research of materials, etc. The authors determine possible directions of use of artificial intelligence in such areas as: C4ISR, weapons and their effective use, UxV, capability planning, CBRN, military medicine, logistics, cyber and information space, etc. The advantages of the use of artificial intelligence for the development of the defense capability of the world countries and significant threats that require further research of technologies and methods of artificial intelligence along with directions of their practical use in the sphere of defense and protection are identified.