War and peace in the age of AI

As artificial intelligence evolves from predefined narrow applications to more capable general-purpose models, there is growing interest in how this technology affects international security. While most research focuses on the military realm, this reflective essay explores the broader implications of artificial intelligence for international security. It presents three main arguments: (1) the debate over whether we are experiencing an artificial intelligence revolution or just hype distracts from the more subtle but profound transformation already underway; (2) despite the current emphasis on artificial intelligence’s role in spreading disinformation, decision-makers will ultimately gain better and more relevant information about the intentions and actions of their adversaries; and (3) this fundamentally alters the dynamics of interactions within the international system, which are shaped by uncertainties. The essay concludes by posing open questions and proposing a research agenda for international relations scholars.