Military AI Boosts Deterrence but Poses Risks, Japanese Expert Warns

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a transformative force in modern military deterrence, rivaling nuclear weapons as a strategic tool, according to Chiaki Akimoto, a distinguished fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in London. Speaking at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on June 19, 2026, Akimoto noted that countries with advanced military AI capabilities are experiencing rapidly increasing deterrence power. He cited Ukraine's successful resistance against Russia—despite significant numerical disadvantages—as a prime example of how superior AI deployment can offset conventional military imbalances.

However, Akimoto emphasized substantial risks accompanying this technological shift. As AI-equipped drones become increasingly prevalent in modern conflicts, including the Ukraine-Russia war that began in 2022, concerns have mounted over target misidentification and unintended casualties. The expert warned that the lack of clear accountability mechanisms poses a critical challenge: when AI systems make erroneous decisions in combat, it remains unclear who bears responsibility for the consequences. This accountability gap threatens both victim support efforts and the responsible governance of military AI technology.

Akimoto, a former defense and security journalist with Japan's public broadcaster NHK, highlighted the risk of irresponsible proliferation of AI-equipped weapons systems without proper oversight frameworks. He underscored that the international community must urgently address how humans can effectively collaborate with artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to maintain global security while mitigating the dangers inherent in delegating critical military decisions to machines. The challenge, he argued, lies in balancing the strategic advantages of military AI with robust safeguards against misuse and humanitarian concerns.