Technology & Security
by Sarah Blackwell, Director of Technology Policy — July 20, 2026
Artificial intelligence stands as the most consequential general-purpose technology of the 21st century, with profound implications for national security and international stability. The rapid acceleration of AI capabilities presents both extraordinary opportunities and significant risks that demand careful governance frameworks. This analysis examines the national security dimensions of AI, including military applications, cybersecurity implications, and the emerging governance architecture needed to manage these powerful technologies.
AI has been described as the new electricity, a foundational technology that will transform every sector of the economy and every domain of security. The nations that lead in AI development will enjoy significant economic and military advantages, while those that fall behind will face strategic vulnerabilities. This reality has made AI leadership a central priority for major powers, driving competition in talent, computing resources, and research.
The United States currently leads in AI research and development, with the largest concentration of AI talent, the most advanced computing infrastructure, and the most dynamic ecosystem of AI companies. However, China has emerged as a formidable competitor, with ambitious national strategies, generous government funding, and a unique advantage in access to data from its vast surveillance infrastructure. The AI competition between Washington and Beijing is likely to define the strategic landscape for decades.
The integration of AI into military systems is proceeding rapidly across multiple domains. In the information domain, AI is revolutionizing intelligence analysis, enabling the processing of vast quantities of data to identify patterns and generate insights at speeds impossible for human analysts. The Department of Defense has implemented AI systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that have significantly accelerated the targeting cycle.
Autonomous systems represent one of the most consequential military applications of AI. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the effectiveness of drones and autonomous systems in modern warfare, with both sides employing thousands of unmanned systems for reconnaissance, strike, and logistics. As AI capabilities advance, the trend toward greater autonomy in military systems will accelerate, raising profound questions about the role of human judgment in the use of force.
Lethal autonomous weapons systems that can select and engage targets without human intervention remain among the most controversial AI applications. The United States has maintained a policy that requires appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force, but the definition of appropriate human involvement remains debated. China and Russia have been less transparent about their development of autonomous weapons systems, raising concerns about arms racing dynamics.
AI is transforming both cybersecurity offense and defense. AI-powered cyber attacks can adapt to defenses in real time, identify vulnerabilities more rapidly, and automate attack operations at unprecedented scale. At the same time, AI-driven defense systems can detect and respond to threats more quickly, predict adversary behavior, and automate routine security operations. The cyber domain is likely to be the arena in which AI-powered military capabilities are first tested in conflict.
Despite the rapid pace of AI development, international governance frameworks remain nascent. The United Nations has established an Advisory Body on AI, and the European Union has enacted the AI Act, but binding international agreements on military AI applications remain elusive. The United States has promoted a Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI, which has been endorsed by over 50 nations. However, the declaration is non-binding and lacks verification mechanisms.
Key governance priorities include establishing clear rules for the use of AI in military targeting, mechanisms for ensuring meaningful human control over lethal autonomous systems, verification measures to ensure compliance with agreements, and confidence-building measures to reduce the risk of AI-related miscalculation and escalation. The window for establishing effective governance frameworks is narrowing as AI capabilities continue to advance.
IISFS