Artificial Intelligence Warfare and Public Health: A Governance Framework for Evaluating Population Health Implications

Abstract: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations has transformed the conduct of warfare, raising significant ethical, legal, and public health concerns. However, existing scholarship has largely examined AI warfare and public health in isolation, with limited attention to the governance mechanisms linking these domains. The purpose of this study was to examine how ethical governance and regulatory frameworks shape the public health implications of AI-enabled warfare and to develop a governance-centered conceptual framework connecting AI capabilities to population health outcomes. This study employed a qualitative policy analysis and structured narrative review of international legal instruments, policy documents, and peer-reviewed literature. Data were analyzed using thematic coding and comparative policy analysis, guided by the AI Warfare–Public Health Impact (AIW–PHI) framework. Findings indicate that current governance structures are fragmented, lack enforceable mechanisms, and remain insufficiently adapted to the complexities of AI-enabled warfare. Ethical governance mechanisms—such as human oversight, accountability, and transparency—are inconsistently implemented, while public health considerations are largely absent from existing regulatory frameworks. These gaps contribute to increased health system vulnerability and heightened risks to civilian populations. This study introduces the AIW–PHI framework as a novel, governance-centered model that conceptualizes AI-enabled warfare as a structural determinant of population health mediated by governance processes. The findings underscore the need to integrate public health into AI governance and to strengthen regulatory approaches to mitigate systemic harm. This study contributes to emerging scholarship at the intersection of AI, governance, and public health and provides a foundation for future empirical research and policy development. Keywords: Artificial intelligence; AI-enabled warfare; ethical governance; international humanitarian law; public health; health system vulnerability; population health; autonomous weapons; military AI; governance frameworks; civilian protection; AI regulation. Title: Artificial Intelligence Warfare and Public Health: A Governance Framework for Evaluating Population Health Implications Author: Dr. David Bull International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026 Page No: 21-39 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 15-April-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19592338 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/artificial-intelligence-warfare-and-public-health-a-governance-framework-for-evaluating-population-health-implications