A Balance of Power: Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of AI for a Nation

Artificial intelligence is having a profound impact on the development of human society. It is improving—in some case, re-inventing—our economic, political, cultural, educational and medical sectors, to name a few. For many it is a cost effective solution that makes processes more effective, more intelligent and often more independent. However, in doing this, it is also having a deterministic influence on the dynamics of our societies. From an economic perspective, AI technology could be a game-changer, giving emerging markets the opportunity to outpace more developed markets. In fact, it has the ability to change the balance of global power, so much so that many countries are now striving for a national strategy on AI. And this goes to the very heart of a nation’s security where AI can also create significant implications for the protection and defence of it’s citizens, and economy. This chapter presents how Artificial Intelligence technology is extremely important in how it can shape the strength and power of a nation. Moreover, it highlights how AI can both positively and negatively impact a nation’s security. In summary, the chapter will provide a detailed overview of AI, it will analyse the direct and indirect effects of AI on national security and will present some potential solutions.