Bytes and Battles: Inclusion of Data Governance in Responsible Military AI

CIGI Paper No. 308

October 29, 2024

Data plays a critical role in the training, testing and use of artificial intelligence (AI), including in the military domain. Research and development for AI-enabled military solutions is proceeding at a rapid pace; however, pathways and governance solutions to address concerns (such as issues with the availability and quality of training data sets) are lacking. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of data issues surrounding the development, deployment and use of AI; examines data governance lessons and practices from civilian applications; and identifies pathways through which data governance could be enacted. The paper concludes with an overview of possible policy and governance approaches to data practices surrounding military AI to foster the responsible development, testing, deployment and use of AI in the military domain.

About the Authors

Yasmin Afina is a researcher for the Security and Technology Programme at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, where her research covers the intersection between international security, international law and artificial intelligence.

Sarah Grand-Clément is a researcher in both the Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme and the Security and Technology Programme of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. Her work looks at the intersection of technology with conventional arms.