Artificial intelligence (AI) — computing technologies that mimic aspects of intelligent human behaviour — will transform every aspect of organised violence. AI will change how states decide to go to war, how troops are organised and commanded, how weapons are conceived and deployed, how targets are selected, and how human beings are killed. Moreover, as states and private AI firms participate in an increasingly militarized global competition over AI innovation, often justified as an existential imperative, such change threatens to outpace any understanding of its consequences. The rapid integration of AI into organised violence will have direct implications for national and human security, will force us to question who — or what — are considered the relevant agents of war, and will even contribute to shaping the emerging world order. This course will seek to understand these effects by interrogating the political, legal, ethical, strategic, socio-technical, and geopolitical dimensions of AI's steady infiltration into the practice of war.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the major issues in, and concepts associated with AI and the future of war
- Evaluate and confidently apply these concepts
- Critically evaluate approaches to the study of AI and the future of war
- Demonstrate effective communication skills
- Demonstrate understanding of existing practical efforts to engage with the live concerns and issues relating to AI and the future of war
Indicative Assessment
- Oral Presentation (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Weekly Response (0) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Journal Submission (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
Approximately 130 hours comprising 2-hour seminars as well as associated preparation, independent study, and assessment time.
Prescribed Texts
Further information on prescribed texts will be provided via Canvas.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $5040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $7200 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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