In today’s rapidly globalizing world, modern technological advancements are shaping our future. One groundbreaking invention is artificial intelligence (AI). It refers to the development of computer systems that are capable of performing tasks that resemble human intelligence, such as learning, decision-making, and speech recognition. We divide it into a wide range of categories, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. Similar to many other disciplines, AI significantly influences international relations.
IR (International Relations) is a vast field of study of relations among sovereign states and non-state actors. It incorporates the different dimensions of international security, international political economy, international organizations, and foreign policy analysis. Theories of IR provide systematic explanations for various events in the world.
The book Artificial Intelligence and International Relations Theories discusses the impacts of AI on IR theories and vice versa. Bhaso Ndzendze and Tshilidzi Marwala co-authored it. Ndzendze specializes in politics and international relations, while Marwala specializes in computer science and artificial intelligence.
The basic assumption of this book is that a new theory is not required to incorporate the developments of AI. We can modify the already existing IR theories in this regard. The book starts by explaining international relations and then artificial intelligence. It lists out various previous works on the theme of interlinkage between the two. The discussion then shifts to the relationships between AI developments and IR theories (realism, liberalism, hegemonic stability theory, dependency theory, and critical theories). Each chapter begins with an explanation of the IR theory under discussion, followed by the implications of AI on it.
Firstly, it discusses realism and examines how the emergence of AI with military applications will impact realist thinking. As a theory, realism emphasizes the importance of power, state sovereignty, and the pursuit of national interests. It argues that competition and conflict are inherent in an anarchic world, leading states to prioritize security above all else. We can broadly classify realism into three categories: classical realism, structural realism or neorealism (which can be defensive or offensive), and neoclassical realism. Neoclassical realism, which focuses on how domestic constraints and capabilities of states influence their foreign policy behavior in response to changes in the international system, is the most critical category in the wake of AI. This argument suggests that states should view AI technology as a significant component of their latent power.
Moreover, Liberalism suggests that international institutions, democracy, free trade, and diplomacy can foster cooperation and mitigate conflict in the international system by increasing cooperation and interdependence. The book posits that the advancements in AI are challenging several fundamental aspects of liberalism.
Secondly, democracies restrict citizens’ liberties to prevent authoritarian regimes from accessing them and AI challenges the monadic peace thesis. The thesis comes under the democratic peace theory and states that democracies are inherently peaceful. States utilize information warfare and manipulation, challenging the basic assumption of universal information and lessening its relevance.
Thirdly, the assumption of economic interdependence will not hold strong. AI, through advanced automation and market intelligence, will disrupt economic interdependence, thereby undermining the foundation of interstate peace.
In addition to these Hegemonic Stability Theory (HST) holds that a single dominant power, or hegemon, can enforce order and prevent conflicts among states, thus providing stability in the international system and benefiting both itself and other states in the system. HST emphasizes the uneven distribution of AI military capabilities globally. The dominance of the private sector in AI research and development poses challenges to state and non-state actor equilibrium in the regulation of AI.
fourthly, Dependency Theory argues that historical patterns of colonialism and exploitation perpetuate underdevelopment and poverty in dependent countries. This theory posits that the dependence of many developing countries on developed countries in the Global North hinders their economic development. While discussing dependency theory, the authors shed light on the relationship between fourth industrial revolution (4IR) readiness and new FDI inflows, as well as the progress made by laggards in improving their 4IR readiness. They also discuss whether the 4IR era will be characterized by the same structure and players as the third industrial era and whether lower-scoring countries have a disproportionate likelihood of receiving FDI regardless of technological readiness.
Furthermore, the English school debates the two poles of pluralism and solidarism in international society. Pluralism advocates for multiple societies with a lack of shared norms, while solidarism promotes convergence. The emergence of AI systems has led to differing approaches to AI ethics, highlighting the tension between state and human needs. As history and culture play their role, solidarity becomes a possibility.
Additionally, critical theories depict the real-life situations and experiences of states and peoples occupying the margins of power and influence in the realm of international relations. These theories provide important insights into the relationship of AI and IR. These include constructivism, postcolonialism, feminism, and green theory. Constructivism emphasizes how technologies that improve information acquisition and communication create informational fogs. This results in miscommunication and even conflict.
lastly, the postcolonial theory criticizes the skewed power relations in which there is data and commercial exploitation. It highlights the embedded colonial and Eurocentric aspects related to the presence and transfer of AI technology in these relationships. Feminism adopts a critical stance on the lifecycle of AI technology, encompassing its design, creation, and deployment. Finally, the green theoretical perspective is helpful in differentiating diverse forms of AI to identify those that can have utility in combating environmental change and those that worsen it.
In nutshell, this book is a comprehensive exploration of the complex interplay between IR theories and the transformative influence of AI on military capabilities, information processing, and decision-making. It introduces new dynamics and challenges traditional IR theories. Theorists and policymakers must introduce policies to ensure the responsible and beneficial integration of AI in the realm of international relations. We highly recommend this book to those interested in exploring the impacts of artificial intelligence on the field of international relations.
