Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the global security landscape, and its impact on the maritime domain is profound. From enhancing surveillance to introducing new vulnerabilities, AI’s role in maritime security offers significant opportunities and challenges. One of AI’s most transformative contributions lies in improving situational awareness and surveillance. Traditional methods of monitoring vast oceanic spaces are labor-intensive and limited in scope, but AI-powered systems can analyze data from satellites, drones, and automatic identification systems (AIS) to detect patterns and anomalies. This capability enables the identification of “dark ships” involved in illicit activities such as smuggling or illegal fishing, allowing authorities to act proactively and efficiently.
In naval operations, AI is revolutionizing capabilities through the deployment of autonomous systems. Unmanned surface vessels and underwater drones can perform high-risk tasks like reconnaissance, mine detection, and surveillance, reducing risks to human crews. However, the use of AI in naval warfare raises strategic concerns. Autonomous systems could escalate conflicts if they act unpredictably or misinterpret data. The lack of international regulations governing AI-driven weapons further complicates the potential for conflict resolution and risk management in contested regions. If rival states deploy AI-enabled naval systems without coordination or transparency, the risk of accidental confrontations or rapid escalations in regions such as the South China Sea or the Arctic grows significantly. These strategic flashpoints, where competing claims and heightened tensions already exist, could see AI amplifying instability rather than mitigating it.
Ports, as critical hubs of global trade, also stand to benefit from AI integration. Automated systems powered by AI can enhance cargo inspections, detect anomalies, and improve access control, bolstering security and reducing vulnerabilities to criminal or terrorist activities. Predictive analytics can identify patterns that signal threats, ensuring timely interventions. However, the increased reliance on digital systems introduces cybersecurity risks, a double-edged sword in the maritime domain. AI-driven cybersecurity tools can help detect and neutralize threats, but adversaries can also use AI to launch sophisticated attacks. Cyberattacks on ports or shipping systems could disrupt global trade, creating cascading economic and geopolitical effects.
AI’s role in maritime warfare brings additional strategic risks. Autonomous systems and decision-making platforms could alter the nature of naval conflicts, making engagements faster and less predictable. This heightens the risk of escalation in already tense regions, such as the South China Sea. Misidentifications or unintended actions by AI systems could spark conflicts, and the absence of international agreements on the use of AI in military applications increases the potential for miscalculations. For example, an AI-powered naval drone could perceive a civilian or non-threatening vessel as hostile, prompting unnecessary or disproportionate responses. Such incidents could trigger a chain reaction in high-tension regions, potentially drawing major powers into conflict.
On a broader strategic level, AI is altering the balance of power in maritime security. Nations with advanced AI capabilities have a distinct advantage, as they can integrate sophisticated technologies into their maritime operations, creating a technological gap between themselves and less-developed states. This disparity could lead to a concentration of power among a few dominant nations, undermining collective maritime security efforts. Additionally, adversaries with access to AI capabilities, such as autonomous naval vessels or intelligent cyberattack platforms, could challenge the dominance of traditionally superior navies, leveling the playing field in asymmetric conflicts.
AI also has strategic implications for economic security. Global supply chains rely heavily on the safe and efficient movement of goods across oceans, and disruptions in maritime security could have severe economic repercussions. AI-powered systems that enhance port operations and maritime logistics can mitigate these risks, but their growing reliance on interconnected digital networks introduces vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit. A targeted cyberattack on a major port or shipping lane could not only disrupt trade but also destabilize regional economies and create ripple effects in the global market.
The integration of AI into maritime security raises ethical and legal concerns. Accountability for decisions made by AI systems is a critical issue, particularly in incidents involving autonomous vessels or weaponized platforms. Determining responsibility in the event of an error or failure becomes challenging when human oversight is minimal. Moreover, the unequal access to AI technologies could exacerbate disparities in maritime security, leaving smaller nations at a disadvantage compared to technologically advanced powers. These challenges could undermine trust among allies and weaken collaborative efforts to ensure maritime stability.
To address these challenges and maximize AI’s benefits, a collaborative approach is essential. Establishing international norms and regulations for AI in maritime contexts is critical to ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical use. Strengthening cybersecurity measures must be prioritized to protect maritime infrastructure from evolving threats. Multilateral cooperation can foster equitable access to AI technologies, enabling all nations to address shared challenges such as piracy and illegal fishing. Supporting capacity-building efforts for developing nations can help prevent disparities in maritime security, ensuring collective resilience.
Strategically, AI presents an opportunity to strengthen alliances and enhance cooperation among like-minded nations. Joint investments in AI-driven maritime technologies could bolster the collective capabilities of alliances such as NATO or regional security coalitions like the Quad. These initiatives could not only deter adversaries but also promote stability in contested maritime regions. Additionally, leveraging AI to enhance global maritime governance frameworks, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), could create a more cohesive and secure maritime order.
AI has the potential to transform maritime security by enhancing surveillance, naval operations, port protection, and cybersecurity. However, its integration also presents significant risks, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities, ethical dilemmas, and strategic instability. A balanced and proactive approach that emphasizes collaboration, regulation, and ethical oversight is essential to harnessing AI’s potential while mitigating its risks. In an increasingly interconnected and contested maritime domain, responsible integration of AI will be vital for ensuring global security and stability.
Jihoon Yu is a research fellow and the director of external cooperation at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. Jihoon was the member of Task Force for South Korea’s light aircraft carrier project and Jangbogo-III submarine project. He is the main author of the ROK Navy’s Navy Vision 2045. His area of expertise includes the ROK-US alliance, the ROK-Europe security cooperation, inter-Korean relations, national security, maritime security, and maritime strategy. He earned his MA in National Security Affairs from the US Naval Postgraduate School and PhD in Political Science from Syracuse University.
