About this book:

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of how machine learning and artificial intelligence are transforming great power competition, military doctrine, and the fundamental logic of global deterrence. It argues that "AI power" is a systemic capability derived from a complex stack of data, specialized semiconductors, and elite talent. Because these resources are largely concentrated within the private sector and global supply chains, traditional statecraft—such as export controls and industrial policy—must be radically updated to manage the dual-use nature of algorithmic innovation and the physical chokepoints of hardware manufacturing.

The text examines the operational shift toward "machine-speed" warfare, where AI compresses the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) across intelligence, cyber operations, and command and control. While human–machine teaming and autonomous systems offer significant tactical advantages in sensing and targeting, they introduce profound strategic risks. These include "algorithmic opacity," where the "black box" nature of models masks failure modes, and "flash escalation," where automated systems interact in unpredictable ways. The book specifically highlights the danger of conventional–nuclear entanglement, as AI-driven conventional strikes may inadvertently threaten strategic deterrents, lowering the threshold for catastrophic conflict.

Geopolitically, the volume explores the varying AI postures of the United States, China, Russia, and Europe, as well as the diffusion of low-cost autonomous drones to non-state actors in the Middle East. It emphasizes that future military effectiveness will depend on alliance interoperability—extending beyond shared hardware to include unified data standards and ethical guardrails. The authors stress that the "AI arms race" is not a zero-sum path to instability if nations prioritize "deterrence by resilience," robust testing and evaluation (T&E), and the preservation of meaningful human control over lethal force.

The concluding chapters offer a policy roadmap focused on risk mitigation and crisis management. Proposed measures include the development of "AI hotlines" for rapid de-escalation, international norms for algorithmic transparency, and novel arms control frameworks centered on technical audits rather than physical inspections. By linking safety engineering with strategic diplomacy, the book argues that great powers can harness AI to bolster situational awareness and stability, provided they invest in the governance, certification, and human accountability necessary to manage an increasingly automated battlespace.