Artificial intelligence and the future of warfare: The USA, China, and strategic stability

This volume offers an innovative and counter-intuitive study of  how and why artificial intelligence-infused weapon systems will affect  the strategic stability between nuclear-armed states. Johnson  demystifies the hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in the  context of nuclear weapons and, more broadly, future warfare. The book  highlights the potential, multifaceted intersections of this and other  disruptive technology – robotics and autonomy, cyber, drone swarming,  big data analytics, and quantum communications – with nuclear stability.  

Anticipating and preparing for the consequences of the  AI-empowered weapon systems are fast becoming a critical task for  national security and statecraft. Johnson considers the impact of these  trends on deterrence, military escalation, and strategic stability  between nuclear-armed states – especially China and the United States.  The book draws on a wealth of political and cognitive science, strategic  studies, and technical analysis to shed light on the coalescence of  developments in AI and other disruptive emerging technologies.

Artificial  intelligence and the future of warfare sketches a clear picture of the  potential impact of AI on the digitized battlefield and broadens our  understanding of critical questions for international affairs. AI will  profoundly change how wars are fought, and how decision-makers think  about nuclear deterrence, escalation management, and strategic stability  – but not for the reasons you might think.