Description
The concept of Responsible AI is emerging as an overarching governance frame to address challenges associated with the development and use of AI technologies in the military domain, especially in terms of setting standards of appropriate human-machine interactions. However, actors have different understandings and visions of what exactly this concept entails in the practice of humans interacting with machines, as well as what it means for global governance. This article draws on literatures in International Relations and Science and Technology Studies to conduct a narrative analysis of different understandings of Responsible AI in the military, as well as examine how different narratives compete to enable or constrain certain forms of global governance. Based on open-access sources and interviews, I first establish dominant narratives promoted by the currently most active states in this sphere such as Australia, France, the UK, and the US. Second, I identify counter-narratives that stand in opposition to these dominant interpretations, originating from other states (especially the Global South), as well as civil society. Finally, I interpret how the Responsible AI narratives I identify shape debates on the global governance of military AI technologies and ‘appropriate’ forms and standards of human-machine interactions.
