Each state is responsible to maintain its national security. This is also inevitably significant for the international security. Events and issues pertaining to the parties’ national security sparked the start of both world wars. Thus, the most important resource that nation states should continue to safeguard in tandem with one another to safeguard international security is still national security. National security in the nation states is impacted by every global development. Over the past ten years, the use of artificial intelligence has become more significant, offering both benefits and drawbacks for the countries. As the subject of this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of rising AI usage in view of national security dynamics of nation states. We will firstly see the components of national security indicating what elements the definition refers. Later, we will focus on what kind of effects the usage of artificial intelligence technologies take place in those components. Lastly, we will provide an overall analysis. First of all, it had better to mention about the average elements of national security: Military security, political and economic security, cyber security, security of borders, security of energy and natural resources security and humanitarian security.
1. Military Security
The ability of a country to defend itself and act as a deterrent against potential military aggression is known as military security. AI usage is widespread in military field. The armies of nation-states, including the United States, China, and Russia, are equipped with AI-focused military and logistical equipment. Semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles including both ground vehicles such as automatic tank-like vehicles and aerial vehicles such as modified F-16s, armed drones or only observative drones equipped with artificial intelligence and naval vessels have been developed using this technology. AI-based military equipment also assists in increasing efficiency and reducing costs while it is expected to provide pace of movement in combats and superiority to the states in war.[1] However, there are lots of questions and probable risks. Firstly, there is cyber-attack risk. For instance, hackers of the enemy states could manipulate the AI systems of the opposing countries and directorate autonomous weapons to bomb military targets and as well as civilian settlements by killing innocent people.[2] Secondly, it is questionable that making AI-based technological machines authorized in vital decisions about people’s life. How such machines are able to tell the difference between soldiers and civilians is a mystery. As a result, programming AI for every scenario appears to be impossible, which is a risky aspect of this technology. The final and most crucial point is whether or not the data or algorithms fed into AI robots are reliable. Here, the programmers bear a great deal of responsibility and also require supervision since poor choices, prejudice, or unseen motives may taint the data, and these tainted or erroneous data may have disastrous consequences. Because of its complicated influence, fully permitted AI technology in military security must be governed by legally enforceable regulations and strictly complied with by humans.
2. Political Security and Economic Security
a) Political Security
Political security is a field which contains the stability and protection of the regime of the state, governmental organization, economic structure, official institutions, law, social order, demographic structure, and sovereignty from both internal and external threats. AI-based technologies have been used actively after COVID period. Many governments have tended to develop AI strategies to maintain public service. Especially, the number of official digital platforms such as e-government websites which provide service to the public in health, education, legal and administrational fields have increased. ‘Digital governance’ has supported all interested and related parties to take place in public administration. In this case, social media tools have gained huge role. Moreover, thanks to AI-driven social media applications, policy making of governments have been shaped. It has become easier to track the public’s expectations, critics and recommendations, to forecast possible results of elections, find out political and social threats to the state such as civil unrests of conflicts and prevent manipulations.
Furthermore, domestic political stability of a state has shaping role in foreign policy. For example, violence of human rights and democracy inside, authoritarian governing, civil unrest and civil war could contribute rising conflicts both regionally and internationally. As a result, terrorism, immigration waves and violence could be triggered including other states. We can give an actual example. Civil war in Syria started in 2010 caused regional conflicts and also increasing immigration to last of European states. In the same way, war in Ukraine caused international tension.
As to risks of increasing AI in political administration, we should consider the multi-disciplinary dimension. Social rights, welfare, public safety, state authority, and resources are all included in political security. Firstly, some authoritarian governments can use AI-driven tools to use pressure over some parties of the country. For example, the politically opposite people, people from a specific religion, gender or ethnic identity by using mass surveillance, provocation by manipulation, polarize different groups of the society and violation of privacy and safety. Similarly, external powers could use AI tools for the same purpose and may cause civil disorder or extremism in a state. They can even attack to destroy infrastructure and violate cyber security of a state, manipulate elections and again cause sever political disorder. Lastly, AI-driven technology is possible to create ‘income distribution problems, unemployment, revenue shortfall, occurrence of new jobs which require less human power’. [3]
As a consequence, AI-usage for political security should be under inspection by a range of experts from IT to legal ones. Political legitimacy, protection of all values of a state should be maintained within transparency, accountability, and fairness. In this point, all stakeholders not only from political environment but also from civil society should work for rules and frameworks for AI technology. It should be noted that protection of political security of a state always engage in international security.
b) Economic Security
As mentioned in political security section above, AI has been affecting components of economic security such as productivity, investments, income distribution, long-term economic forecasts and labor. Organizations such as OECD and the European Commission claim that AI technologies could globally transform production habits. Lots of researches and surveys have been practiced to forecast possible results of this phenomenon. For instance, research conducted by the consulting firm Accenture, which included 12 developed economies, predicted that by 2035, artificial intelligence (AI) could double the rates of annual growth in the global economy by increasing labor productivity, improving time management, automating problem-solving and self-learning processes as new labor, and distributing innovation.[4] As a result, AI is viewed by many academics and experts as a vital instrument for increasing productivity and promoting economic growth for states. It is thought to lower expenses, acquire relative advantage over the government as an economic force, quicken the decision-making process, open up new markets, and improve production efficiency.[5] For instance, the majority of businesses are already using AI to identify and thwart fraud, which makes business apps more precise.[6]
Despite counted advantages as above, AI could have severe risks in view economic security. First of all, ‘comparative superiority’ could clear the way of inequitable distribution of income among states and naturally, it could widen the gap between developed and developing countries. Additionally, experts caution that it may worsen inequality, drive down wages, and reduce the size of the tax base.[7] On the other hand, according to OECD, AI could also widen the gap between firms and cause ‘a slowdown in productivity growth in economy’.[8] Another crucial and the most probable problem is disproportion in wages and disappearance of some jobs which lead a crisis of unemployment. Jobs in which AI-driven technologies are actively used will require experts who are capable of figure out automation and technical issues. Therefore, ’sectoral job losses’ are possible to occur.[9] Thus, man-power will be need very slightly. Also, this could influence wages, income distribution and economic inequality.[10] Consequently, unemployment will reach its highest level. Therefore, all possible risks should be evaluated by states to protect economic security in case fractures in economy would not lead critical social and political disorder.
3. Security of Energy and Natural Resources
Energy security and protection of natural resources of a state are another critical element of national security. AI-driven applications and equipment could be used for the purpose of the preservation of the environment and natural resources. AI could be a proactive tool for providing food and water security, clean and sustainable energy, and climate resolutions. AI-driven satellites can make observations over human infrastructure or agricultural landscapes, environmental changes which have long-term positive effects over poverty, development, demographic and gender issues.[11] AI can also be utilized to save energy and cut down on pollution and carbon emissions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may even contribute to the growth of robust smart cities that optimize the use of natural resources. AI can be used in the oil and gas industry to track emissions from the chemical, oil, and gas sectors in order to proactively identify environmental hotspots that are necessary for accurate life cycle analysis and corrective action. AI has enormous potential to speed up the development of novel materials and sustainable chemical systems.[12] Additionally, AI can be used to forecast power demand and generation, optimize maintenance and use of energy assets, understand better energy usage patterns, as well as provide better stability and efficiency of the power system. AI can also facilitate partially automating the decision-making, scheduling and operating smart energy systems without any human control.[13] As a result of this, AI-based computers are able to teach themselves to make smarter decisions and perform more accurately.[14]
In order to support the agricultural sector by increasing soil fertility and lowering the risk of soil erosion, vital activities include detecting and cleaning pollution in water resources, conserving water, and reducing water loss. Additionally, by providing models and predictions for greenhouse gas emissions to reduce air pollution, vital activities also make it easier to reduce the risks posed by global climate change and adapt to the changes in this context.[15] Furthermore, AI greatly enhances crop output and productivity through targeted distribution of water, herbicides, and nutrients based on AI-enabled data analysis and optimization. This has significant advantages for sustainable agriculture. But, in the wrong hands, all that knowledge may be put to evil use, destroying habitats and natural resources as well as bringing down a state’s infrastructure.
4. Cybersecurity
The most important element of the national security is cyber security in view of AI usage. Most states have started to attach importance to investments to AI applications and also protection their cyber security. In this point, there can be presented two security outputs of AI. They are usage of AI-based security solutions for cyber security by developing censors, and creating practice fields via big data and software and communication networks.[16] Accordingly US has developed ‘Affectiva’ program by adapting human senses, cognitive processes and actions to AI and also ‘Amelia’ for the same purpose. [17]
Similarly, Russia has developed robotic military equipment; Israel and Japan have increased their increased their investments for autonomous weapons. These examples display that cyber security has been emerging as core element of national security if AI development keeps growing faster.
Initially, we can present some advantages of AI in cyber security. AI-based cybersecurity solutions facilitate early detection and response to security breaches by expediting the processing of massive volumes of data. Consequently, AI assists in estimating future cyberthreats and the vulnerability of the state’s cyber system, prompting states to take proactive steps to reduce risks and strengthen cybersecurity regulations. However, utilization of AI technologies in cybersecurity needs consideration and an international observation. It could be used with peaceful intentions by a state; however, it can be perceived as a possible threat by another state. We can give an example from the antipathy of US and UK to Chinese Huawei and Tik Tok social media application. Both countries have considered widespread usage those technologies as a kind of national security threat.[18]
Additionally, cyberattack risks could be deemed as severe and most probable. The risk of possible unauthorized accesses and cyberattacks such hacking to the defense resources, infrastructure, the governments and the public’s personal and official data whether from outside or inside of the country has arisen. A relevant example for cyber-attack to the infrastructure of a state would be given as the cyber-attack on the Colonial Pipeline in the Southeastern US by hackers.[19] Accordingly, AI technologies could be used against a state by ‘data poisoning and input attacks’ in order to manipulate or provoke information web protected by the state.[20] Attackers could develop malicious AI algorithms which will threat to confidentiality of sensitive information. As a result, to prevent a cyber war among states, all international actors should take responsibility in regulations abiding by states’ internal law and legitimization practices.
5. Border Security
Threatening transnational challenges at border crossings include terrorism, illegal immigration, drug and people trafficking, smuggling, and so forth. States have benefited from real-time danger detection and prompt response, as well as the ability to trace criminals or unauthorized entry using facial recognition technologies. The ability of AI-based border security systems to handle and analyze large amounts of data boosts productivity while cutting expenses and time. In particular, biometric authentication systems that verify visitors’ identities are useful instruments for securely forwarding information to relevant units as needed.
Concerns exist over the application of AI-powered border security systems as well. Because these systems are designed to allow human operators to intervene and stop the system in the event of failures and damages that are anticipated to occur above a specific level, they can be considered mostly autonomous.[21] It may be difficult to identify the guilty parties (programmers, decision-makers, or implementers) in any situation involving risks, damages, or lethal outcomes.[22] For instance, China, which has deployed artificial intelligence tools as part of its “zero-COVID” policy against the coronavirus, has faced increasing scrutiny over its surveillance and monitoring practices that are likely to outlast the pandemic. Generally speaking, it has occasionally been unclear what rights people have in their still-developing partnerships with AI technologies, or whether travelers have given permission to provide biometric and other information to government officials.[23]
Furthermore, the data uploaded to the systems can be based on the bias of the programmers or the officials of a state. For example, all out comers from a definite nation, a specific gender or physical appearance could be perceived by the AI as a threat. Therefore, there can be possible violations of human rights, privacy and international law. Furthermore, if those AI systems, which are hacked, manipulated or mistakenly programmed, are directly engaged in defense technology used for the border protection, autonomous weapons some of which have a robotic structure could directly harm people such a s travelers, asylum-seekers and immigrants.[24] In this context, in 2017, 16 experts from 26 countries came together and wrote a letter to the United Nations, warning about this issue. They pointed out that there could occur wars and accelerate immediately because of these autonomous weapons. Thus, most states have become aware of a need of international observation, regulations and precautions on common values against AI-based risks and threats.
6.Humanitarian Security
Human security is a comprehensive concept which is integrated with all other national security elements. States are responsible of providing economic security, environmental security, food security, health security, personal security, community security, political security by protecting them from violence even if it comes from itself.[25]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to revolutionize various industries, including healthcare, human resources, and commerce. AI will accomplish this by gathering vast amounts of data, which will enable it to make better predictions, assess risks more accurately, and complete tasks far more quickly than humans could.[26] In this regard, AI technologies assist in early detection, rapid response, and efficient allocation of resources during natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and public health emergencies, enhancing human safety and resilience. we can give following examples that AI-driven systems could make possible: discovery of new medication for fatal diseases; even specific to person-based, faster diagnosis and treatments, conservation of environment, biodiversity and natural resources, prevention of natural disasters and preservation of habitable environment for people and other species, amelioration of social services such as education, transportation, and public safety, prevention of air pollution, prevention from deforestation, irrigated land conservation, conservation of traditions, cultures, languages or dialects, abolishment of ethnic discrimination and protection of human rights and well-being of all people, protection people against both internal and external pressures and violations .[27]
AI-based technology could generate reverse outcomes with above counted advantages. Most people have begun to think that surveillance technologies, increasing AI involvement to social media and photographic applications are quite possible to open the way of monitoring, tracking and storage individuals’ privacy. Moreover, algorithms of AI tools could be manipulated according to the interest or intention and therefore, could lead discrimination, inequality and undermining justice, human rights and stability. Similarly, misusage of AI applications can cause phishing including changing people’s photograph via such applications putting them in another person’s appearance, even imitating their voice. Last issue was experienced by Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia. A group of hackers manipulated his appearance and copied his voice and made him talking for a call for war. AI also can make analysis by utilizing sophisticate algorithms on the purpose of getting sensitive information from non-sensitive forms of data; for example, it is not impossible to predict someone’s emotional condition, gender, ethnic identity, political and religious views, and etc. via only tracking his/her keyboard typing patterns.[28] Last but the least, AI-driven weapons can threat people’s living conditions, social, health and economic environment.
It is inevitably necessary to regulate humanitarian security to prevent discrimination between ‘human of the state’ and ‘outside human’. It means that states could take precautions to enhance their citizens, humanitarian security whereas they can menace or harm citizens of other countries. This is not a unique pattern for not only humanitarian security but also for other components of national security. The borders among national security and international security dynamics have been getting more and more blurred in spite of increasing role of AI in global arena.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence is a very broad concept. Although its emergence as a context goes back to ancient times, it has been predominantly used in our lives in the last 40 years. It became used in household appliances and applications in smartphones, and have been adapted to every aspect of human lives. It is imperative that nation states address the possible and unpredictable security vulnerabilities created by this new technology since their first priority when it comes to national security is the safety and protection of their citizens.
There are numerous advantages to using AI-based technology tools and applications in terms of both major threats and national security. Never forget that data is the most important component of modern technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems obtain their data from human-provided sources. As such, it’s critical to ascertain the goals, intentions, and standards of data sources. In the wrong hands, artificial intelligence has the potential to become a weapon, even while it can be a solution in certain situations. Governments ought to provide substantial funding for AI research and development, support the development of skilled civilian and military personnel through rigorous educational initiatives, and establish the framework for the enactment of appropriate legislation. Effectively implementing data protection rules is imperative in light of any harm or repercussions that may arise from the use of artificial intelligence during research and development.[29] In conclusion, it is reasonable to expect governments to take the required actions to protect all of their citizens’ rights and property. To protect their national security in this situation, governments must keep a careful eye on advancements in artificial intelligence from a technological, security, and legal standpoint.
SOURCES
1 — Artificial Intelligence and National Security’, Bipartisan Policy Center, Center for Security and Emerging Technology, June 2020
2 — https://www.ey.com/tr_tr/government-public-sector/yapay-zeka-savunma-sektorunde-hizmet-veren-kurumlarin-daha-cevik-ve-guclu-olmasi, ‘Yapay zekâ, savunma sektöründe hizmet veren kurumların daha çevik ve güçlü olmasına nasıl yardımcı olabilir?’, Serhat Akmeşe EY Türkiye Kamu Sektörü Lideri, (5 Mar 2020)
3 — Uzun, Mehmet Metin, Yıldız, Mete, Önder, Murat, ‘Big Questions of AI in Public Administration and Policy’, SIYASAL: Journal of Political Sciences, Vol. 31
4 — Szczepanski, Marcin, ‘Economic Impacts of AI’, Members’ Research Service, European Parliament, July 2019
5 — Furman, Jason, ‘Is This Time Different? The Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence’, Remarks at AI Now: The Social and Economic Implications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Near Term, New York University, NY, July 7, 2016
6 — Acemoglu, Daron, Restrepo, Pascual, ‘The Wrong Kind of AI? Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Labor Demand’, IZA Institution of Labor Economics initiated by Deutsche Post Foundation, Discussion Paper Series, №12292,
7 — Brynjolfsson, Erik, Unger, Gabriel, ‘The Macroeconomics of Artificial Intelligence’, F&D, December 2023,
8 — ‘Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Resource Management and Chemical Processes’, American Chemical Society Eng., Feb 26, 2024
9 — Ioannis Antonopoulos, Valentin Robu, Benoit Couraud, Desen Kirli, Sonam Norbu, Aristides Kiprakis, David Flynn, Sergio Elizondo-Gonzalez, Steve Wattam, ‘Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches to energy demand-side response: A systematic review’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2020
10 — Ashkan Entezari, Alireza Aslani *, Rahim Zahedi, Younes Noorollahi, ‘Artificial intelligence and machine learning in energy systems: A bibliographic perspective’, Energy Strategy Reviews, 45, 2023
11 — https://www.cevreportal.com/yapay-zekanin-onemi-ve-cevre-sektorunde-kullanim-alanlari, (22 Mayıs 2023)
12 — Erdem, İbrahim, Çobanoğlu, Sedat, ‘Yapay Zekanın İç Güvenlik Yönetimi Üzerine Yansımaları: Siber Güvenlik’, Kaytek Dergisi, Yıl:3, Sayı: 2, 2021
13 — Fjader, Christian, ‘The Nation-State, National Security and Resilience in the Age of Globalization’, Resilience, International Policies, Practices and Discourses, 2:2, 2014
14 — ‘Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity’, Pillsburylaw.com
15 — (Working Group on AI — Artificial Intelligence, 2018: 63; Mehr, 2017: 4)
16 — Şahiner, Mustafa Kürşat, Ayhan, Emrah, Önder, Murat, ‘Yeni Sınır Güvenliği Anlayışında Yapay Zekâ Yönetişimi: Fırsatlar ve Tehditler’ Uluslararası Çalışmalar Dergisi ,Vol. 5, №2
18 -Human Development Report 1994, “New Dimensions of Human Security”
19 — Deeks, Ashley, Lubell, Noam, Murray, Daragh, ‘Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and the
Use of Force by States’, Journal of National Security Law and Policy, Vol. 10:1
20 — Yilmaz, Ilay, Sozer, Can, Elver, Ecem, ‘Current Developments on Artificial Intelligence: An Analysis in The Ligh of Actions Taken in the European Union and the United States’, Adalet Dergisi, №66, 2021
21 — Flynn, Carrick, ‘Recommendations on Export Control for Artificial Intelligence’, Center for Security and Emerging Technology Issue Brief, February 2020
22 — Johnson, James, ‘Artificial Intelligence & Future Warfare: Implications for International Security’, Defense and Security Analysis, No: 35:2, 2019, www.tandfonline.com/journals/cdan20
23 — Argueta, Carla N., ‘Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry’, Congressional Research Service, April 19, 2016,
24 — Umoren, Imeh, Inyang, Saviour, Silas, Abasiama, ‘Intelligent Surveillance and Facial Recognition System for Efficient Border Monitoring and Threats Prediction Using Machine Learning Approach’, Researchers Journal of Science and Technology, №1, 2021
[1] ‘Artificial Intelligence and National Security’, Bipartisan Policy Center, Center for Security and Emerging Technology (June 2020), p.4
[2] (https://www.ey.com/tr_tr/government-public-sector/yapay-zeka-savunma-sektorunde-hizmet-veren-kurumlarin-daha-cevik-ve-guclu-olmasi — ‘Yapay zekâ, savunma sektöründe hizmet veren kurumların daha çevik ve güçlü olmasına nasıl yardımcı olabilir?’, Serhat Akmeşe EY Türkiye Kamu Sektörü Lideri 5 Mar 2020)
[3]Ibid., p. 435
[4] Szczepanski, Marcin, ‘Economic Impacts of AI’, Members’ Research Service, European Parliament (July 2019), p.2
[5] Ibid., p. 3
[6] Furman, Jason, ‘Is This Time Different? The Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence’, Remarks at AI Now: The Social and Economic Implications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Near Term, New York University (July 7, 2016), NY, p. 3
[7] Idem.
[8] Ibid., p. 6
[9] Acemoglu, Daron, Restrepo, Pascual, ‘The Wrong Kind of AI? Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Labor Demand’, IZA Institution of Labor Economics initiated by Deutsche Post Foundation, Discussion Paper Series, №12292, p. 2
[10] Brynjolfsson, Erik, Unger, Gabriel, ‘The Macroeconomics of Artificial Intelligence’, F&D (December 2023), p.
[11] ‘Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Resource Management and Chemical Processes’, American Chemical Society Eng. (Feb 26, 2024), p. 2924
[12] Idem.
[13] Ioannis Antonopoulos, Valentin Robu, Benoit Couraud, Desen Kirli, Sonam Norbu, Aristides Kiprakis, David Flynn, Sergio Elizondo-Gonzalez, Steve Wattam, ‘Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning Approaches to Energy Demand-side Response: A Systematic Review’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2020), p. 2
[14] Ashkan Entezari, Alireza Aslani, Rahim Zahedi, Younes Noorollahi, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Energy Systems: A Bibliographic Perspective’, Energy Strategy Reviews, 45 (2023), p. 2
[15] https://www.cevreportal.com/yapay-zekanin-onemi-ve-cevre-sektorunde-kullanim-alanlari/ (22 Mayıs 2023)
[16]Erdem, İbrahim, Çobanoğlu, Sedat, ‘Yapay Zekanın İç Güvenlik Yönetimi Üzerine Yansımaları: Siber Güvenlik’, Kaytek Dergisi, Yıl:3, Sayı: 2 (2021), p. 185
[17] Idem.
[18] Fjader, Christian, ‘The Nation-State, National Security and Resilience in the Age of Globalization’, Resilience, International Policies, Practices and Discourses, Vol. 2:2 (2014), p. 125
[19] ‘Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity’, Pillsburylaw.com, p. 16
[20] Ibid., p. 9
[21] Mehr, Working Group on AI — Artificial Intelligence (2017), 4
[22] Şahiner, Mustafa Kürşat, Ayhan, Emrah, Önder, Murat, ‘Yeni Sınır Güvenliği Anlayışında Yapay Zekâ Yönetişimi: Fırsatlar ve Tehditler’,Uluslararası Çalışmalar Dergisi ,Vol. 5, №2, p.83
[23] Tyler, Hannah, ‘The Increasing Use of Artificial Intelligence in Border Zones Prompts Privacy Questions2, The Online Journal of the Migration Policy Institute (February 2, 2022), p. 1
[25]https://www.gdrc.org/sustdev/husec/zcategories.html#:~:text=These%20are%20economic%20security%2C%20food,to%20such%20social%20safety%20net
[26] Tyler, Hannah, op. cit., p. 1
[27] Human Development Report 1994, “New Dimensions of Human Security”
[28] Ahmed, Hafiz Sheikh Adnan, ‘Challenges of AI and Data Privacy — And How to Solve Them’, ISACA, Vol. 32, (6 October 2021), https://www.isaca.org/resources/news-and-trends/newsletters/atisaca/2021/volume-32/challenges-of-ai-and-data-privacy-and-how-to-solve-them
[29] Mehr, op. cit., p. 4
