Source: Lawfare

Lawfare presents a thought-provoking analysis by authors Justin Sherman and Daniel Schoenfeld on how algorithmic foreign influence is compelling a re-evaluation of national sovereignty in the age of artificial intelligence. The article argues that traditional concepts of sovereignty, which are primarily based on territorial integrity and political independence, are being challenged by the ability of foreign actors to use sophisticated AI-powered algorithms to subtly influence a nation's domestic population and political processes. These influence operations go beyond simple disinformation campaigns; they involve the use of algorithms on social media and other digital platforms to manipulate public opinion, amplify social divisions, and erode trust in democratic institutions, all while being difficult to attribute to a specific state actor.

The authors contend that existing international law is ill-equipped to address this novel form of interference. The subtle, pervasive, and often non-coercive nature of algorithmic influence does not fit neatly into established legal frameworks governing espionage, propaganda, or acts of aggression. The piece explores the complex challenges this poses for policymakers and legal scholars, including how to define and identify such interference, when it rises to the level of a violation of sovereignty, and what constitutes a legitimate response. Sherman and Schoenfeld suggest that nations must move beyond traditional counter-messaging and develop new legal and technical strategies to enhance digital sovereignty. This includes promoting greater transparency in how platforms use algorithms, fostering international norms of behavior in cyberspace, and investing in societal resilience to manipulation, thereby adapting the concept of sovereignty to the realities of the 21st century.