Issue Brief on “AI and Maritime Security: Challenges and Policy Options for Pakistan in...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of fundamental changes in the world: from simple replies to emails to Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs), AI is revolutionizing the landscape. The existing security paradigms, too, are increasingly being challenged due to the introduction of AI in military affairs. One such area of AI-led changes is the maritime domain. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that since the inception of the modern nation-states, waters have been at the heart of the power contestation. Famous thinkers and military strategists have widely advocated that the nations that rule the sea rule the world^[1]. Today, in an increasingly interconnected world, the concept of maritime security has evolved far beyond the conventional notions of naval forces. Today's maritime security encompasses economic security as well, manifested in the protection of Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), port operations, under-sea cables, and so on. Therefore, in the face of rapidly evolving nature of maritime threats, Pakistan also has to contend with significant challenges. India, for its part, is fast integrating AI in its force structures, including in its naval operations and doctrine. This development poses not only traditional security challenges to Pakistan's coastal security but also threatens its maritime economy. Pakistan, consequently, must fast-track the use of AI in its naval strategy to counteract and deter the Indian threat in this arena. This Issue Brief, therefore, sheds some light on the link between AI and maritime security, challenges to Pakistan's maritime security, especially from India, and policy options for Pakistan to navigate these challenges carefully entering into 2025 and beyond.

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