ПОЛИТИКА ЕВРОПСКЕ УНИЈЕ У РАЗВОЈУ И ПРИМЕНИ ВЕШТАЧКЕ ИНТЕЛИГЕНЦИЈЕ У ВОЈНЕ СВРХЕ: ИЗАЗОВИ СТРАТЕШКЕ АУТОНОМИЈЕ, ТЕХНОЛОШКЕ СУВЕРЕНОСТИ И УТИЦАЈ НА ЗАЈЕДНИЧКУ БЕЗБЕДНОСНУ И ОДБРАМБЕНУ ПОЛИТИКУ
THE EUROPEAN UNION’S POLICY ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR MILITARY PURPOSES: CHALLENGES OF STRATEGIC AUTONOMY, TECHNOLOGICAL SOVEREIGNTY, AND IMPACT ON THE COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENSE POLICY

Author(s): Vanja Rokvić
Subject(s): Security and defense, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Geopolitics
Published by: Institut za strategijska istraživanja
Keywords: European Union (EU); Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP); Artificial Intelligence (AI); Strategic Autonomy; Technological Sovereignty
Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes the European Union’s (EU) policy on the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) for military purposes, examining it within the context of strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty and its implications for the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The primary purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the complex and multidisciplinary field encompassing the technological, legal, ethical, geopolitical, and strategic aspects of applying artificial intelligence for military purposes. This is achieved through an analysis of available literature, strategic documents of the European Union, resolutions of the European Parliament and the European Commission, and relevant research projects. The research highlights the importance of EU initiatives to achieve strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty through investments in research, innovation, and development, mainly via the European Defense Fund and mechanisms for interstate cooperation. However, it identifies significant challenges, such as the lack of an integrated legal framework, technological heterogeneity among member states, and limited cooperation in military research. The paper underscores risks related to the EU’s dependence on external sources for critical technologies, the consequences of misaligned national regulations, and the lack of interoperability in military systems. These factors constrain the EU’s ability to effectively employ AI in its security and defense missions. While AI offers significant opportunities, such as enhancing early warning systems, increasing operational mobility, and optimizing efficiency, varying threat perceptions, uneven technological development, and regulatory gaps further complicate its implementation. The paper concludes that the effective integration of AI into the CSDP requires the establishment of clear legal and ethical frameworks, harmonizing member states’ strategic priorities, and intensified joint investments in research and development. Also, to fully comprehend this complex subject, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation addressing several key questions, such as the development of a common legal and ethical framework to regulate the advancement and application of artificial intelligence (AI) for military purposes; the effectiveness of existing funding instruments, such as the European Defense Fund, and potential models to stimulate more significant investment in long-term and collaborative projects; the degree of the European Union’s dependence on external sources for critical technologies and raw materials; and how less developed member states can leverage AI to enhance their defense capacities. Furthermore, it is crucial to analyze the impact of varying technological capabilities and strategies of member states on interoperability and coordination within the CSDP, ways to integrate new technologies into CSDP missions and operations, including the use of unmanned systems and AI-based analytical tools, and the capacities and challenges faced by third countries, such as the Republic of Serbia, in participating in the CSDP. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of AI on European security and defense while opening avenues for future research in this domain. At the same time, this research opens up opportunities to initiate new projects aimed at assessing the readiness and capabilities of third countries, such as the Republic of Serbia, in implementing CSDP missions and operations in the context of the development and application of new technologies, particularly those based on artificial intelligence.

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