The NewsWorthy: Special Edition – AI in War: Who Sets the Rules?
Date: March 7, 2026
Host: Erica Mandy
Guest: Paul Shari, EVP, Center for a New American Security
Episode Overview
This special edition episode explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming modern warfare. Host Erica Mandy sits down with AI and defense expert Paul Shari to discuss the ethical, legal, and geopolitical challenges of AI-enabled military operations. They unpack recent controversies involving tech companies and the Pentagon, debate human control in AI warfare, and consider how global power dynamics may shift as AI technology evolves.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Rapid Rise of AI in Military Operations
- AI is shifting the battlefield: From Ukraine to Gaza to U.S. strikes against Iran, AI is directly changing strategy, speed, and the handling of information.
- Quote: "We are now in an era of AI enabled warfare." — Erica Mandy [00:06]
- Real-world applications: AI is used for target prioritization, processing information, and assessing battle damage, vastly accelerating military response times.
- Quote: "AI can help accelerate that process...doing that at human speed is going to take a really long time." — Paul Shari [08:32]
2. Recent Pentagon vs. Anthropic Dispute
- Background: Anthropic refused Pentagon demands over two primary concerns:
- Enabling mass surveillance of Americans
- Developing autonomous weapons (“weapons that don't need human involvement”)
- Pentagon's flexible policy: Currently, neither is officially pursued by the Pentagon, but policies and technology evolve quickly.
- Quote: "There are domestic laws...the military shouldn't be involved in domestic mass surveillance in the first place. Lethal autonomous weapons are a trickier issue...it's pretty flexible." — Paul Shari [01:58]
- Consequences: The Pentagon labeled Anthropic a "supply chain risk," a rare designation for a U.S.-based firm, signaling potential retribution for non-compliance.
- Quote: "What the Pentagon has done in retaliation is launch this really unprecedented campaign of retribution...by labeling them a supply chain risk." — Paul Shari [06:57]
3. Autonomy, Human Control, and the Risks of Mistakes
- Twin concerns:
- Risk of AI error in life-and-death decisions (“What if the AI gets it wrong?”)
- National fear of falling behind adversaries (e.g., China) in military AI adoption
- Human oversight: There’s bipartisan agreement on the necessity of human control, but the pressure to keep pace with potential enemies is immense.
- Quote: "We need to keep human control over warfare. But militaries are gonna be worried about falling behind competitors." — Paul Shari [09:54]
- Quote: "I think it's vitally important that we maintain human control over lethal decision making in war." — Paul Shari [10:30]
4. Lawmakers and Regulation Lag Behind Technology
- Systemic lag: Elected officials struggle to keep pace with technological developments, leaving critical decisions in the hands of the military and private companies.
- Quote: "There’s a disconnect between how AI technology is moving and the dysfunction in Washington. Washington really hasn't even caught up to the social media age..." — Paul Shari [05:57]
- Public stakes: The stakes are too high for decisions to be left to unelected officials or profit-driven companies.
5. Real-World Applications in Current Conflicts
- US-Iran conflict specifics:
- Anthropic’s AI tools have been reportedly integrated into US military operations, mainly for synthesizing vast data, target assessments, and reprioritizing strikes.
- Quote: "One of the things that AI is really good at is helping to process and understand large amounts of information very quickly..." — Paul Shari [08:01]
6. The Global Power Dynamic: AI as the New Oil
- AI as a general purpose technology: AI is analogous to electricity and engines; it may spark another industrial revolution.
- Computational arms race: The U.S., China, and others are vying for access to data centers, advanced computer chips, and control of AI infrastructure.
- Quote: "AI is incredibly computationally intensive. That's why we see this massive build out of data centers, this fierce competition for companies...to get the most advanced chips..." — Paul Shari [14:03]
- Role of Taiwan: Most advanced chips are fabricated in Taiwan, creating geopolitical hotspots and leverage.
- Quote: "That has become a source of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China...the most advanced chips in the world are built in Taiwan." — Paul Shari [14:39]
7. The Push for ‘Sovereign AI’
- National sovereignty: Countries want to reduce dependency on U.S. tech, develop their own AI models and infrastructure.
- Quote: "A lot of countries are looking at this...even close US Allies...are rethinking their dependence on US Technology." — Paul Shari [16:17]
- Challenges: Technical capability and resources will dictate a nation's ability to achieve sovereign AI.
8. The Role of Public Debate and Civic Engagement
- Who sets the rules? It's not just a technological question but a democratic one involving all stakeholders.
- Quote: "This is about what are the rules for AI warfare, but also who gets to set those rules." — Paul Shari [17:38]
- Public participation: Engaged citizens can educate themselves, participate locally (e.g. data center discussions), and communicate with elected leaders to influence policy.
- Quote: "Politicians are actually super responsive to feedback from constituents..." — Paul Shari [19:05]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On AI’s double-edged sword:
- "Used properly, AI might reduce mistakes. But if there are accidents, we could see things be much, much worse." — Paul Shari [03:04]
- On the pace of regulatory response:
- "It's one thing if they can't agree on the terms of the military doesn't have to use Anthropic's AI tools. Anthropic shouldn't have to sell their technology to the government if they don't agree...But [labeling them supply chain risk] is...unprecedented and...damaging." — Paul Shari [06:57]
- On keeping humanity in warfare:
- "We want to find ways to use the technology to be more precise, to be more humane, to reduce civilian casualties, but not lose our humanity in the process." — Paul Shari [10:40]
- On public engagement:
- "Those democratic processes...are effective, and politicians do respond..." — Paul Shari [19:17]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [00:06] Introduction to AI in warfare and guest bio
- [01:33] Pentagon-Anthropic dispute; ethical lines for AI in military
- [02:53] Risks and pressures around autonomous weapons
- [03:59] Surveillance concerns and precedent from China
- [04:47] OpenAI vs. Anthropic: Pentagon deals and transparency
- [05:55] Congressional lag in tech regulation
- [06:55] Pentagon's punitive stance and implications for industry
- [07:56] How AI is being used in military operations (Iran, Venezuela)
- [09:13] Civil-military integration challenges and urgency for debate
- [13:46] AI’s impact on global power and economic productivity
- [15:55] Concept of 'sovereign AI' and international competition
- [17:34] The democratic imperative and the need for broad debate
- [18:52] How listeners can take action and influence the AI conversation
Closing Thoughts
This episode artfully frames the debate over AI in warfare as both urgent and unresolved, with no easy answers. Shari emphasizes the need for public engagement and democratic oversight, warning against both unchecked military adoption and legislative inertia. Listeners gain both a snapshot of where the technology stands and a call to participate in shaping its future use—before AI, not humans, sets the rules.
Further Reading:
Paul Shari’s latest book: 4 Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Paul Shari’s first book: Army of Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War