Militarization of Artificial Intelligence: autonomous weapons, strategic balance, and algorithmic governance
Abstract
This article examines the militarization of artificial intelligence in international security through a bibliometric approach with an indicator-guided narrative synthesis. Scopus was consulted and techniques of cooccurrence, network analysis, clustering, and citation were applied to delimit the field empirically and prioritize authors, concepts, and trends. Analytical constructs were defined (artificial intelligence and emerging technologies) and outcomes of interest (geopolitical power and technological sovereignty). The findings organize five key elements: remote projection of capabilities, competitive advantage derived from automated learning, dematerialization of conflict through digital integration, hybrid warfare with cognitive-informational effects, and governance aimed at regulation, verification, and safeguards. The evidence shows that algorithmic adoption reshapes power balances, fosters new technological dependencies, and strains regulatory regimes, demanding specific frameworks for containment and deterrence. The study provides a structural map of the field and a reproducible methodological path to guide public decision-making and the research agenda.
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