Governance, Interoperability, and Standards for Military AI

The integration of artificial intelligence into military operations has advanced rapidly, but the absence of clear governance frameworks, shared standards, and robust mechanisms of interoperability presents profound challenges for states and alliances. Unlike traditional weapons systems, which can be standardized through treaties, regulations, and procurement agreements, AI operates within fluid and evolving ecosystems of data, algorithms, and computational infrastructures. Its effectiveness depends on how different components—sensors, networks, machine learning models, and human operators—interact within complex systems. Without harmonized standards, militaries risk creating fragmented architectures in which systems are incompatible, data cannot be shared, and operations are undermined by technical or institutional friction. Governance in this context is not only about regulating the ethical use of AI, but about establishing the technical, procedural, and legal frameworks that allow states to integrate AI into coherent military practices while preserving accountability and legitimacy.