Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of American Foreign Policy

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 PhD Student of Political Science, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Political Science and Islamic Revolution Studies, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Social Studies, Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, Imam Hussein University, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jppolicy.2025.102509

Abstract

Policymaking is formed in a process context and influenced by various factors. Given the increasing impact of new technologies, most notably artificial intelligence, this article attempts to assess the impact of artificial intelligence on US foreign policymaking from a scientific and methodological perspective. This research is fundamental and has a descriptive-analytical approach that was conducted through a review of library data. Based on the research findings, foreign policymaking in the US, influenced by artificial intelligence, is on the verge of transformation and metamorphosis. The strategic focus of the US in foreign policymaking is shifting to new technologies, most notably artificial intelligence. Although changing the dynamics of power vis-à-vis weaker countries can be in America’s favor, the situation will be different vis-à-vis China. Accordingly, one of the areas of US competition in the coming years will be the effort to establish rules, normalize, and build institutions that govern the model of actors’ use of artificial intelligence.

Keywords

References

  1. AI Index Report (2024). Stanford university, human-centered artificial intelligence. website information:https://aiindex.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HAI_AI-Index-Report-2024.pdf
  2. Araya, Daniel & King, Meg (2022). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Military Defence and Security, Centre for International Governance Innovation. 263.pdf
  3. Araya, Daniel; King, Meg (2022). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Military Defence and Security, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/299735/1/cigi-paper263.pdf
  4. Ashtrian, Kiomers. (2020). The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Transformation in Governance: Forming a Datamining and Intelligent Planning Organization in the 7th Development Plan. Interdisciplinary studies in the humanities, 15 (1), 269-208. https://doi.org/10.22035/isih.2022.436
  5. bacher, brooke (2024)., What Is Technological Singularity? Some experts say the singularity is near. But what does that mean, really? https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/technological-singularity
  6. barney, nick (2024)., What is singularity in technology and AI? https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/definition/Singularity-the
  7. Bis, (2025). Commerce Further Restricts China’s Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing Capabilities, Bureau of Industry & Security (Office of Congressional and Public Affairs). https://www.bis.gov/press-release/commerce-further-restricts-chinas-artificial-intelligence-advanced-computing-capabilities
  8. Bjola, C. (2019). Diplomacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Working Paper, Oxford Digital Diplomacy Research Group. https://www.geopolitic.ro/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EDAWorkingPaper_ArtificialIntelligence_ENcopy.pdf
  9. Boucher, Philip. (2020), Artificial intelligence: How does it work, why does it matter, and what can we do about it? This study has been drawn up by the Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA), within the Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (EPRS)of the Secretariat of the European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/641547/EPRS_STU(2020)641547_EN.pdf
  10. Bromley, D. Allan (2002). Science, technology, and politics, Technology in Society, Volume 24, Issues 1–2, 2002, Pages 9-26, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-791X(01)00039-2
  11. (2024). Crypto Compliance Report. https://go.chainalysis.com/crypto-crime-2024.html
  12. Dehghani, jalal; chehrazad, saeed. (2022). Artificial intelligence and the continuity of power in Iran's foreign policy (physical deterrence, club/fear and deterrence strategy), Islamic revolution research, volume 11, number 43, [in persian].
  13. Drezner, Daniel W. (2019). Technological change and international relations, International Relations 33(2):004711781983462. DOI:1177/0047117819834629
  14. enterprise artificial intelligence strategy, 2023, U.S. department of state, empowering diplomacy through responsible AI. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Department-of-State-Enterprise-Artificial-Intelligence-Strategy.pdf
  15. Ferguson, Y. H., & Mansbach, R. W. (1999). Technology and the transformation of global politics. Geopolitics, 4(3), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/14650049908407653
  16. Ghosh, moumita; Arunachalam, Thirugnanam (2021), Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, In book: Artificial Intelligence for Information Management: A Healthcare Perspective (pp.23-44). DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-0415-7_2
  17. Graabak, jakob; koomen, maria; reddel, max (2024), five emerging technologies to act on now, CFG (international center for future generations). https://cfg.eu/five-emerging-technologies-to-act-on-now-2024/
  18. Hasan, Mir & Islam, Md. (2024). The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Military Systems: Impacts on National Security and Citizen Perception. 10.20944/preprints202409.2328.v1.
  19. Horowitz, M. C. (2018). Artificial Intelligence, International Competition, and the Balance of Power. Texas National Security Review. https://tnsr.org/2018/05/artificial-intelligence-international-competition-and-the-balance-of-power/
  20. https://federalnewsnetwork.com/artificial-intelligence/2024/06/with-new-ai-tools-available-state-department-encourages-experimentation/
  21. https://fedscoop-com.translate.goog/how-the-state-department-used-ai-and-machine-learning-to-revolutionize-records-management/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=fa&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
  22. https://thenextweb.com/news/report-palantir-took-over-project-maven-the-military-ai-program-too-unethical-for-google
  23. https://www.axios.com/2025/03/06/state-department-ai-revoke-foreign-student-visas-hamas
  24. https://www.elliptic.co/
  25. https://www.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/establishment_of_the_awcft_project_maven.pdf
  26. https://www.iaea.org/publications/documents/treaties/npt
  27. https://www.ictworks.org/state-department-uses-ai-strategically/
  28. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381322990_Artificial_intelligence_and_its_impact_on_foreign_policy
  29. Hussein Shuheil, Ahmed. (2024). Artificial intelligence and its impact on foreign policy.
  30. ITU, (2016), Harnessing the Internet of Things for Global Development, A CONTRIBUTION TO THE UN BROADBAND COMMISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, International Telecommunication Union. https://www.itu.int/en/action/broadband/Documents/Harnessing-IoT-Global-Development.pdf
  31. ITU-TY (2012), GLOBAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE, INTERNET PROTOCOL ASPECTS AND NEXT-GENERATION NETWORKS. https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Y.2060-201206-I
  32. Kam Li Yee, Stefanie (2025), Containment Can’t Win the U.S.-China Tech Race Alone; Washington needs to foster innovation to beat Beijing. https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/03/artificial-intelligence-ai-us-china-competition-deepseek-containment/
  33. Kissinger, Henry; Schmidt; Huttenlocher, Daniel (2021), The Age of AI: And Our Human Future Hardcover, John Murray publisher, [in persian].
  34. Kurtenbach, Elaine, (2025). US adds Chinese tech firms to its export control list, says they sought US knowhow for military use, apnews. https://apnews.com/article/china-us-sanctions-entity-trump-inspur-44c6a0fd445814a4b5fa40c7baa178ca
  35. Mallik, Amitav. (2016), Role of Technology in International Affairs, Pentagon Press.
  36. McCarthy, Daniel R. (2015). Power, Information Technology, and International Relations Theory. (The Power and Politics of US Foreign Policy and Internet), Palgrave Macmillan press.
  37. memorandum of deputy secretary of defense, 2017, Establishment of an Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team (Project Maven).
  38. NASA, (2024). What is Artificial Intelligence? Defining Artificial Intelligence, https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artificial-intelligence/
  39. National security strategy, (2022), the white house, Washington. https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/8-November-Combined-PDF-for-Upload.pdf
  40. NDAA (2019), H.R.5515 - John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, 115th Congress (2017-2018). https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text
  41. Nimodiya, Aditi; Ajankar, Sunil (2022). A Review on Internet of Things, International Journal of Advanced Research in Science Communication and Technology DOI:10.48175/IJARSCT-2251
  42. Patel, Keyur & Patel, Sunil & Scholar, P & Salazar, Carlos. (2016). Internet of Things-IOT: Definition, Characteristics, Architecture, Enabling Technologies, Application & Future Challenges. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330425585_Internet_of_Things-IOT_Definition_Characteristics_Architecture_Enabling_Technologies_Application_Future_Challenges
  43. Polito, Carolina & Pupillo, Lorenzo. (2024). Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Intereconomics. 59. 10-13. 10.2478/ie-2024-0004.
  44. Sajduk, B. (2019). Theoretical premises of the impact of artificial intelligence on the international relations and security. The Copernicus Journal of Political Studies, 157-180.
  45. Saleh, Nivien. (2010). “Third World Citizens and the Information Technology Revolution”. Palgrave Macmillan New York. doi: org/10.1057/9780230114784.
  46. Schmidt, Nikola. (2022). Artificial Intelligence and Foreign Policy Challenges. Centre for Governance of Emerging Technologies. Institute of international relations PRAGUE. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.35049.47202.
  47. schwab, Klaus. (2017), the fourth industrian revolution, translated by iraj nabipour, bushehr, bushehr university of medical sciences and health services press, [in persian].
  48. Scott, ben, Heumann, Stefan, Lorenz, philippe (2018), Artificial Intelligence and Foreign Policy, Think Tank at the intersection of technology and society. https://www.interface-eu.org/storage/archive/files/ai_foreign_policy.pdf
  49. Skolnikoff, Eugene B. (1993). The Elusive Transformation: Science, Technology, and the Evolution of International Politics, Princeton University Press.
  50. (2025). AI Legislation in the US: A 2025 Overview. https://www.softwareimprovementgroup.com/us-ai-legislation-overview/
  51. Strange, (1994), Wake up, Krasner! The world has changed, Review of International Political Economy, 1:2, summer, 209-219, DOI: 10.1080/09692299408434276.
  52. Swanson, Ana (2025). U.S. Adds Export Restrictions to More Chinese Tech Firms Over Security Concerns. Nytimes. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/business/economy/trump-chinese-tech-firms-chips-security.html
  53. SYIFA, (2024). Artificial Intelligence in Warfare: Comprehensive Solutions for Modern Defense Strategies. https://totalmilitaryinsight.com/best-artifical-intelligence-in-warfare/
  54. Thiele, ralph. (2021), hybrid warfare: future and technologies, springer.
  55. Totalmilitaryinsight, (2024). The Role of AI in Asymmetric Warfare: Transforming Strategies. https://totalmilitaryinsight.com/ai-in-asymmetric-warfare/
  56. Trtglobal, (2025). US targets China's AI and tech firms in latest trade restrictions; The US blacklisted 80 entities, including Chinese AI firms, to prevent its technology from being used for military and security threats. https://trt.global/world/article/1c089f80b867
  57. S, Department of states10 in: https://www.state.gov/artificial-intelligence/
  58. S, Department of states11: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/secretary-of-state/office-of-the-special-envoy-for-critical-and-emerging-technology/
  59. S, Department of states12 https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/deputy-secretary-of-state/bureau-of-cyberspace-and-digital-policy/
  60. UNDP 2: https://www.undp.org/smart-facilities/data-iot
  61. (2025). AI Watch: Global regulatory tracker - United States. https://www.whitecase.com/insight-our-thinking/ai-watch-global-regulatory-tracker-united-states
  62. Wilner, Alex & Babb, Casey. (2021). New Technologies and Deterrence: Artificial Intelligence and Adversarial Behaviour. 10.1007/978-94-6265-419-8_21.
  63. (2023). Maritime AI Analytics. https://windward.ai/
  64. Zhavoronkov, Alex.(2023) “U.S. Updates National AI Strategy and Calls for Public Input.” Forbes, October 5, 2023. Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexzhavoronkov/2023/05/29/us-updates-national-ai-strategy-and-calls-for-public-input/?sh=1ea0579940e9. (Accessed: 21/4/2024).
Iranian Journal of Public Policy
Volume 11, Issue 2
June 2025
Pages 101-117

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics