Artificial Intelligence, Media and International Security

Table of Contents

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. Artificial Intelligence, Warfare, and the Surveillance/Information State

   Shannon A. Bowen

   Abstract

   This chapter examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in warfare. Military purposes and structures are explained, but these often conflict with the use of AI which is difficult to blend into a military command structure of stratified control. Autonomous weapons systems are reviewed as an asset in defensive military engagement but have been questioned in offensive applications, such as the US Obama administration’s zealous use of autonomous drone strikes killing both terrorists and civilians. Human in the loop or on the loop applications are needed but difficult to manage in military theaters. Standards being developed by the international community are discussed as good starting points for understanding how to control and monitor the use of AI. AI use in enhanced and biological warfare applications is discussed as heightening the risk of malicious AI in warfare. The role of the media is reviewed, both as a pernicious propaganda agent and also as a means of safeguarding the public interest in creating informed representative republic knowledge and informed democratic environments. Misinformation and disinformation can play a role as information warfare potentially undermining the stability of governments and the perceived safety of citizens. Scholars (Mariani et al., Psychology & Marketing 39:755–776, 2021; Mustak et al., Journal of Business Research 124:389–404, 2021) noted that the ethical considerations of AI are only lightly addressed in the literature. Despite calls for ethical analyses of AI use in strategic areas (Bowen, An issues management approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and ethics: A crisis with the rising machines?, 2018; Bryson, Patience is not a virtue: AI and the design of ethical systems, 2016), few examinations offer theoretical insight based on moral philosophy as applied to AI, machine learning, and warfare. For international security purposes, it remains important to work with a community of researchers committed to value and promote civilization in its human form (Moseley, Internet encyclopedia of philosophy, 2023).

3. Chapter 2. AI Transformation in Media: Reshaping War Between Reality and Virtuality

   Fatima Roumate

   Abstract

   Artificial intelligence (AI) is radically changing the international society in both peace and war as it profoundly transforms international security in terms of the weaponization of both AI and the media. Media usually influence international relations due to their role in both information and psychological warfare. In the era of AI, this role is increasing, leading to differences between war in reality and war in virtual space. Firstly, the use of AI and media in virtual warfare leads to a kind of information and psychological warfare. Secondly, there is a gap between military war and war in cyberspace. We will be highlighting the use of AI in media and the differences between reality and virtuality through two case studies: the war in Ukraine and that in Gaza. We will explore how the use of the media is affecting the balance between winners and losers. In conclusion, the weaponization of AI and the media can provide a different picture of the winner and loser in cyberspace due to AI’s influence on the media and on public opinion. Therefore, only a military war can change the balance of power.

4. Chapter 3. Communication Dimensions in Mitigating the Global Security Threats of Malicious AI/Artificial Intelligence

   Marta N. Lukacovic, Deborah D. Sellnow-Richmond

   Abstract

   To augment the discussion of the mitigative approaches to malicious AI, we outline the useful analytical potentials of the frameworks of mega-crisis and securitization. Within this scaffolding we foresee a plethora of roles for various fields. In this particular piece, we provide just few specific examples of vital roles to be played by researchers, educators, and practitioners in the fields of communication, media, and journalism. We urge all other researchers, educators, and practitioners to likewise take initiative in envisioning various approaches and being willing to build alliances across national and disciplinary boundaries. Through such productive and necessary alliances, malicious AI threats can be effectively mitigated.

5. Chapter 4. Digital Imperialism: Neurosymbolic Artificial Intelligence, International Security, Information Flows, and Social Media in the Twenty-First Century

   Carlos Enrique Fernandez Garcia, Samantha Gómez Gamboa, Piero García Castillo

   Abstract

   The global competition between the major transnationals of Neurosymbolic Artificial Intelligence (NSAI) is shaping the balance of a new global power. The USA, China, and the European Union consolidate their hegemony and dominance in the development and application of this technology. The dizzying advance of AI reproduces colonial relations of political, economic, and technological dependence of emerging countries, due to the lack of access to advanced infrastructures, financing, and data that already limit their ability to compete in the new digital economy. This study explores how digital imperialism, a product of the global competition for Neurosymbolic Artificial Intelligence, affects the information flows of twenty-first-century media. The results of our study reveal the power dynamics of colonialism and the mechanisms of dependency in terms of infrastructure, data, and regulations that impede the autonomous development of the media and reinforce its subordinate position in the current geopolitical order. The study concludes on the increasing use of algorithms in news distribution leading to profound impacts on how we consume news. It recommends the promotion of technological sovereignty policies, encouraging investment, research, and development policies in AI and establishing regulations on information flows in the media, strategic data protection policies for developing nations, and the reduction of global technology gaps.

6. Chapter 5. Behind the Screen: Exploring the Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Established Media and Its Implications for International Security

   Ouiam Chafik, Oualid Rais

   Abstract

   The contemporary security landscape has become increasingly shaped by the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and media narratives. As AI is rapidly evolving, it is transforming how information is created, shared, and perceived. While these advancements offer significant opportunities, they also raise serious concerns, particularly regarding the spread of propaganda, misinformation, and deliberate falsehoods.

   The rapid development of AI has given rise to advanced systems capable of gathering information, applying logical reasoning, and refining their own processes. These advances have made the security environment more complex, sparking discussions about the strategic advantages and related perils of AI-driven media. In a world where international security is already uncertain, the influence of AI on information flows further complicates this landscape.

   Amid these developments, this chapter investigates one crucial question: How can we manage the risks of AI-powered media while ensuring international peace and security? Addressing this challenge requires well-defined strategies to counter misinformation, uphold information integrity, and harness AI responsibly. As AI continues to reshape media narratives, a proactive and balanced approach is essential to maintaining trust and security in an increasingly complex world.

7. Chapter 6. Media Diplomacy in the Age of AI: Transformative Potential and Ethical Challenges

   Said Hajji

   Abstract

   This chapter lays out a framework through which to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and media diplomacy. It aims to uncover the transformative potential of AI in the revolutionization of key aspects of media diplomacy by highlighting the tools and techniques that practitioners can leverage. The study takes a descriptive and analytical approach to outlining and illustrating the manifestations of this transformation through concrete examples. The analysis demonstrates that the integration of AI into media diplomacy, as a component of public diplomacy, is poised to significantly alter daily practices, including through enhanced real-time monitoring and analysis of media coverage and trends; the development of predictive diplomacy tools; expanded opportunities for promoting dialogue, resolving conflicts, and detecting disinformation; and increased reliance by policymakers on data-driven decision-making. However, this integration is also likely to give way to ethical challenges that demand careful consideration and resolution.

   This chapter’s findings and subsequent discussion constitute a preliminary foundation for future studies working to keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI and its applications in media and media diplomacy. Ultimately, this research encourages academics, policymakers, and practitioners in these emerging fields to engage in meaningful and critical discourse.

8. Chapter 7. AI and Transnational Data Flows: Challenges and Imperatives of Sovereignty

   Ahmed Hafidi

   Abstract

   This chapter addresses the centrality of digital data, especially for AI applications, and explores the complexity surrounding transnational data flows. It examines the crucial role of data capture in the race to appropriate this indispensable and highly coveted resource. By exploring the problems associated with the extraterritorial application of laws in the digital domain and the challenges relating to the territorial localization of data, this chapter contributes to a better understanding of the sovereignty claims surrounding digital data and measures their scope. The inevitable consequence of these initiatives is the fragmentation of cyberspace, synonymous with the fragmentation of data, that fuels legitimate disputes. Attempts at regulation aim to ensure data protection and security, which are essential to the viability of AI and its many applications.

9. Chapter 8. Artificial Intelligence on Journalism: Limits and Risks

   Hassan Benouaachane

   Abstract

   Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed numerous industries, and journalism is no exception. AI technologies have been harnessed to streamline news production, analyze data, and even create content. While these advancements are promising in terms of enhancing efficiency and aiding in the fact-checking process, they have also introduced a set of inherent risks and limitations that demand careful consideration from journalists, news organizations, and society. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of the relevant literature to explore the potential drawbacks and constraints associated with the integration of AI in journalism. It centers on issues encompassing accuracy, bias, job displacement, ethical concerns, and the enduring role of human judgment. The findings reveal that AI poses a significant threat to the integrity of professional journalism, raising essential questions about its role and responsibilities in a rapidly evolving media landscape. However, despite these fundamental limitations and risks, there is also evidence that AI holds substantial promise within the journalism industry. This study envisages a future where journalism evolves through a unique model of direct human–machine collaboration, redefining the role of journalists and their engagement with AI. In this dynamic environment, the chapter underscores the critical need to strike a delicate balance between AI’s potential benefits and the risks to ensure that journalism continues to fulfill its vital function in informing and shaping society.

10. Chapter 9. Artificial Intelligence and Media Communications in Russia

    Sergey Davydov, Maria Krasheninnikova, Maria Lukina, Andrey Zamkov

    Abstract

    The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in various Russian industries is currently considered a priority direction of development. The field of media and communications is one of the sectors in which AI is in great demand. The results of this study indicate significant differences in the attitudes toward AI held by expert subgroups. In general, representatives of the media and communications industry have positive attitudes toward the prospect of using AI for journalistic practices. News feed personalization and automatic text generation and analysis are considered the most promising areas for such use.