Artificial intelligence and contemporary warfare: strategic disruption, ethical dilemmas

(Georgian case)

Abstract

This article explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on the nature, conduct, and consequences of contemporary warfare. The aim of this article is to present the role of artificial intelligence in contemporary warfare and the security factors associated with it. The central research question guiding this inquiry is: How does the integration of AI technologies reshape the strategic, ethical, and legal dimensions of warfare, and what are the implications for international security and humanitarian law? This article analyzes the main research questions using securitization theory, political realism, and hybrid warfare. The research utilizes policy analysis, content analysis, and case study methods. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of technological determinism, consequentialist ethics, and Just War Theory, the study examines the deployment of autonomous weapons systems, AI-enhanced military intelligence, and cyberwarfare capabilities. Through detailed case studies-including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel’s Iron Dome, and NATO’s DIANA initiative the article demonstrates how AI alters decision-making processes, accelerates arms races, and challenges existing legal norms. The paper discusses and analyzes the issue of artificial intelligence and Georgia's national security policy. The findings underscore the urgent need for global regulatory frameworks, ethical oversight, and multilateral cooperation to ensure the responsible use of AI in military contexts.