Ethicizing Military AI: Norm and Ethics in the Domain of Military AI

ABSTRACT

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the defense sector by automating administrative tasks, enhancing strategic decision-making, and enabling autonomous weapon systems. However, its rapid adoption raises ethical concerns, including algorithmic bias, discrimination, and privacy violations, which are particularly critical in military applications. Incidents such as Google’s Project Maven and the boycott of AI-based military research at KAIST highlight growing ethical debates on AI in warfare. While various governments and organizations have proposed AI ethics guidelines, there is no universally accepted framework for military AI. The United States remains the only country with formal AI ethics principles for defense, while other nations, including South Korea, are still developing strategies. This study proposes a comprehensive ethical framework for military AI, ensuring legitimacy, accountability, and compliance with international laws. By analyzing existing AI ethics guidelines and assessing legal and ethical challenges, the study identifies key principles for responsible AI deployment in defense. The findings contribute to establishing global AI governance standards, positioning South Korea as a leader in ethical military AI development.

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