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Elza Ganeeva, Independent Public Affairs Advisor, NetherlandsAbstract
The integration of artificial intelligence, AI, into military operations is accelerating, with applications spanning the entire spectrum of warfare, from strategic planning to execution. In this context, the private sector, particularly major AI developers, has assumed a greater role not only as a technology supplier but also as a stakeholder in shaping policies, standards, and broader discourses at both national and international levels. Grounded in security governance theory and literature on the role of private actors, this study examines military AI governance through the lens of Microsoft’s cooperation with the Israeli government. It draws on critical discourse and document analysis to explore how legal, principle-based, and corporate frameworks govern the use of Microsoft’s technologies in this context. The analysis reveals that while Microsoft has developed a robust internal AI governance architecture and plays an increasingly prominent role in global debates on responsible AI, its norm-setting influence appears limited in high-stakes security contexts. This case suggests that the role of private actors in global governance, often portrayed in modern academic discourse as increasingly growing, is more nuanced in sensitive security environments, where state actors continue to exert dominant influence. The case also points to the limitations of soft law, voluntary commitments, and corporate frameworks in effectively addressing the realities of military AI deployment and highlights the need for clearly defined responsibilities and oversight mechanisms applicable to both states and private actors.
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