Artificial Intelligence, Pakistan’s National Security Policy: International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is still far from being applicable across the board, that is, the full autonomous form. As for progress in facial recognition, speech recognition, robotics and swarm drones, it is predicted that AI will achieve full autonomy in near future. AI is now being used at all levels, be it civil or military. In case of China, integration of high-end AI is making international system complex and uncertain making it hard for the states to cope up with the technological gaps. This research paper follows a mode of in-depth discussions with policymakers, researchers, academicians, international law experts and technological specialists related to the area of subject. The ambit of the study draws upon the literature available on Artificial Intelligence (AI), its ramifications on National Security of Pakistan and International Human Rights Law (IHL) – both from printed and online sources. The research study aims to unlock the delicate and unexplored domain of AI and National security of Pakistan vis-i-vis traditional and non- traditional security aspects. This is paralleled with understanding of IHL that has and can influence the national security framework of states like Pakistan. The research explores a set of inter-related questions: How to conceptualize AI in the international security sphere?; What are the aspects and challenges in embracing AI for traditional and non-traditional aspects of National Security of Pakistan?; How AI has impacted the national security outlook of Pakistan?; How to draw relevance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to AI generally and Pakistan specifically?