Artificial Intelligence and Global Security: Impacts on Military Operations

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction: The Dual-Use Nature of Artificial Intelligence in Military Operations and Global Security Concerns
2. Artificial Intelligence Technology and Regional & Global Security
3. Military AI Investment and Technological Development in the Context of Great Power Competition
4. Autonomous Weapon Systems and Legal & Ethical Challenges
5. Malicious Use of AI and Security Threats
6. Recommendations: Building a Global Normative Framework for the Responsible Use of AI

Document Introduction

The rapid development of artificial intelligence technology and its application in the military domain are profoundly changing the nature of warfare and the global security landscape. This report, authored by Indonesian Air Force Assistant Professor Alwin Datu Maya Wayudi Sumari, focuses on the dual-use nature of AI and the potential issues it may raise in military operations regarding compliance with International Humanitarian Law, ethical risks, and strategic stability. The report points out that while AI can enhance the efficiency, precision, and reduce casualties of military operations, the deployment of its autonomous weapon systems may also bring severe challenges such as unintended civilian casualties and lowering the threshold for conflict.

The report systematically outlines the substantial investments and competitive dynamics of major powers like the United States, China, and Russia in the field of military AI, including key development directions such as next-generation air superiority fighters, autonomous drone swarms, and human-machine collaborative decision-making. This technological race not only reshapes geopolitical strategy and military geography but may also trigger regional arms races, forcing countries with limited capabilities to seek alliances or face pressure from major powers. The report specifically cites the use of AI-enabled drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an example to illustrate their tactical value in reconnaissance, target identification, and other areas. It also references public surveys, noting that the majority of people express concern about the potential misuse of autonomous weapon systems.

At the risk analysis level, the report identifies multiple pathways through which AI technology could be maliciously used, including its integration into weapons of mass destruction, launching new types of cyberattacks, and conducting cognitive warfare and information manipulation. These abuses not only pose direct military threats but also bring non-traditional security challenges that could undermine the existing international order. The report emphasizes that the intent behind the creation and use of AI fundamentally depends on humans, necessitating regulation from both internal (creator) and external (user) factors.

Based on the above analysis, the report concludes with targeted policy recommendations. The core lies in calling on the international community to jointly establish a new normative framework adapted to the AI era to ensure its responsible use. Specific measures include: strengthening the language of International Humanitarian Law to clarify that military applications of AI are limited to targeting combatants during wartime; promoting resolutions through multilateral platforms like the United Nations to prevent misuse; encouraging major powers and regional actors to commit to limiting military AI technology to defensive purposes; and advocating for the global use of AI technology to enhance human well-being and security rather than for offensive warfare. This report provides a comprehensive assessment and forward-thinking analysis of the impact of AI militarization for defense policymakers, international security researchers, and military ethics scholars.