Startups Envisioning Algorithmic Warfare: The Discourses of US Tech Companies in Defense AI

Abstract

The United States (US) military is increasingly collaborating with startups that position themselves as key providers of security technologies, especially technologies under the umbrella term artificial intelligence (AI). As startups specializing in defense AI development increase their influence, portray themselves as authoritative actors, and follow a distinct financial logic from larger defense companies, International Relations (IR) literature needs to investigate these relatively new actors. Inspired by Science and Technology Studies scholarship in IR, this article focuses on the discourses performed by tech startups publicly, arguing that the distinct financial logic underpinning startups, especially those funded by venture capital, incentivizes these actors to engage in discourses which in turn (re)produce and normalize certain visions of algorithmic warfare. Based on an analysis of open-access sources contextualized by expert interviews, the article first discusses the significance of tech startups in defense AI development. Second, it maps out six key US-based actors in this field. Third, it analyzes the main themes featuring in these startups' discourses, namely portraying AI technologies as solutions to the complexities of warfare, championing AI development as a deterrent against the US' competitors, and advocating for changes in US defense acquisition. It concludes with the policy implications of such discourses.