30/03/2026
This 174th long essay on Nicolas Tenzer's IR blog Tenzer Strategics is also the last of six articles (plus a substantial introduction) that Constantin Vaillant-Tenzer and he have devoted to the interactions between artificial intelligence and international relations.
It focuses specifically on the uses of AI in international relations and warfare, and the associated risks. This paper is certainly central to the conversation launched by the authors.
The first part examines in depth the issue of the uses of AI in international relations. Whilst highlighting its potential benefits, it also points out its structural limitations, particularly in decision-making. In particular, they demonstrate that, by its very nature, AI is not leadership driven.
The second part shows how AI fits into a dynamic of increased competition between powers.
The third part, the longest (and itself divided into three distinct sections), explores the various risks and threats associated with AI, covering information manipulation and influence operations, bioterrorism, and the misuse of AI-powered weapons.
A final section explores the issue of regulations, best practices and red lines. Numerous useful and well-founded policy documents exist, but the current state of the world does not lend itself to boundless optimism.
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New Threats Rather Than a Conceptual Revolution