AI Militarization in the Seas: Beyond the Stopping Power of the Sea

Abstract

In an era dominated by technological advancements, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal element for nations seeking to assert influence on the global stage. Mearsheimer's idea of the stopping power of water asserts that oceans are pivotal enablers of wealth and power. The study explores how nations strategically cultivate AI technology to enhance global influence. This research examines oceans as the next frontier of competition, with particular emphasis on the high seas as valuable arenas for power projection. AI-based unmanned vehicles and advanced technologies are identified as key facilitators for easy access to these high seas, contributing to an escalating power struggle between the US and China. The study scrutinises extravagant claims and freedom of navigation operations as manifestations of this competition. This research employs a qualitative research method to provide analysis using Mearsheimer’s analysis directed at the limitations of international laws in effectively addressing the challenges posed by AI-based vehicles in open waters. Lastly, the research underscores a prevailing power vacuum in the high seas, highlighting how major powers employ AI technology to assert dominance, reshaping the landscape of global maritime geopolitics.