Artificial Intelligence and Disinformation: Role in 21st Century Conflicts

Abstract

Recent conflicts around the world demonstrate that technology is fundamental for the development of war campaigns. The use of state-of-the-art technology is not limited exclusively to traditional International Humanitarian Law (IHL) actors, but is also employed by non-state actors, who challenge the effectiveness of the international legal framework, open the way for illegitimate and illegal actions, and expand the gray zone between peace and war. In this confusing and increasingly dangerous environment, information and disinformation have been used as strategic weapons. These include tactics of deception, means of destabilization, generators of chaos and social division, mechanisms of evasion of responsibility and sanctions, and instruments for the creation of tailor-made realities (post-truth). Therefore, the objective of this paper is to understand the military use of a disruptive technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and to identify the potential of disinformation and information as strategic tools.