Stability-Instability Paradox: The Evolving Status of Artificial Intelligence in South Asia

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a breakthrough technology with dual use for
civilian as well as military purposes. As a new field, it offers various opportunities along
with challenges in the military sector. Major Powers are engaged in establishing and
maintaining leadership in the AI sector. This is not only compelling for major nuclear
powers to keep capacity building race due to the dilemma of security, but also
provoking other states to engage in acquiring AI-based technology both for civilian and
military purposes. This paper highlights the evolving status of AI particularly in South
Asia, keeping in view the emerging global status of AI among major powers. The study
also introduces the threat posed by AI to the stability-instability paradox both at
strategic and sub-strategic levels. The theoretical lens of security dilemma is used for
this study to understand and predict the evolving threat posed by AI in the context of
South Asia. Furthermore, this study is qualitative and exploratory in nature, taking
advantage of the competing truths and interpretations to highlight the growing use of
AI for dual purposes.