Artificial Intelligence in Warfare: Ethical Implications and Strategic Considerations

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of AI on warfare, focusing on its strategic implications and ethical dilemmas. It explores how AI enhances military capabilities while raising concerns about accountability, human oversight, and compliance with international humanitarian law. The study aims to provide insights into the governance challenges posed by AI in warfare and propose frameworks for responsible AI deployment. AI incorporation in modern weaponry can be regarded as a double-edged sword. Even though AI provides significant advantages over adversaries, it is often violative of fundamental rights such as privacy and dignity. Therefore, considering the ethical implications of adopting AI technology in military systems, there is a need to develop a proper framework using international and humanitarian laws as guidelines. Only thus, the strategic opportunities presented by AI in military and defence systems can be effectively realised. This study has adopted a secondary qualitative approach and systematic literature review to gather and analyse data on the topic to meet research objectives and establish research findings. As the findings suggest, developing a strategic framework would ensure stability in the world order and can deter war promoting ethical adoption of AI for military purposes. Just usage, transparent systems and processes along with meaningful and relevant human control and moral responsibility can serve as essential principles for regulations on AI adoption. This would further promote safety for mankind and establish a peaceful world order decreasing the risk of unethical usage of AI technology for defence purposes by nations. Such frameworks would promote human and AI collaboration reducing the risk of oversight.