How Countries Can Lead in AI Without Raising Security Risks

In 2020, researchers in South Korea tested an autonomous drone that could track and strike targets without human input. The test shocked military officials across Asia. While the drone could make fast decisions, it raised a question: who controls the trigger? The same AI that helps a country defend itself could be used to harm others. This tension between progress and risk is growing worldwide.

Focus on Research and Guardrails

To stay ahead in AI, countries must invest in basic research. In 2023, the U.S. government spent $3.9 billion on non-defense AI research, while China allocated about $2 billion through its Ministry of Science and Technology¹. Research drives progress, but funding alone isn’t enough. Clear rules help steer discoveries in the right direction.

National research agencies can set limits. For example, they can fund only those projects that meet ethical standards, such as human-in-the-loop control for military AI. In the European Union, laws now require certain high-risk AI systems to pass strict checks before deployment². These checks help reduce misuse without slowing innovation.

Secure the Tools and the Talent

AI doesn’t just live in the lab. It runs on hardware and software that can be stolen or attacked. In 2022, cyberattacks using AI rose by 50%³. Countries that build their own secure chips and protect software code can cut the risk of theft.

Talent is another key part of the puzzle. Many researchers move to countries with better funding or fewer rules. To keep talent at home, countries need strong schools, steady jobs, and safe research spaces. The U.S. and China together employ over 70% of the world’s top AI experts⁴. But brain drain remains a risk for smaller nations.

Build Agreements and Monitor Use

No country can solve AI risks alone. The use of AI in war or spying crosses borders fast. In 2023, 60 countries backed a United Nations call to ban lethal autonomous weapons⁵. While not a law, the agreement showed growing concern.

Countries can also set up shared systems to monitor misuse. These systems can flag AI code that targets hospitals or power grids. In 2021, NATO began funding a platform to track military AI use among allies⁶. These steps help reduce the chance of surprise attacks or out-of-control systems.

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Sources

1. U.S. National AI Initiative Office (2023)

2. European Commission AI Act Summary (2024)

3. IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index (2023)

4. Stanford AI Index Report (2024)

5. United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (2023)

6. NATO Innovation Fund Report (2022)