Between Extinction and Hubris: A Dialectical Approach to AI Risk, Control, and Governance

Authors

• Elise Annett, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University
• James Giordano, Center for Strategic Deterrence and Weapons of Mass Destruction Studies, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University

Files

Description

This Strategic Insights article looks at risks associated with autonomous artificial intelligence systems and the challenges they pose for human control and institutional governance. Dr. Annett and Dr. Giordano argue that near-term risks stem not only from advancing AI capabilities but also from the progressive transfer of human decision-making and agency to AI systems, particularly in military and intelligence contexts. They propose an adaptive governance framework emphasizing continuous testing and evaluation, meaningful human control, clear accountability, graduated autonomy thresholds, independent oversight, and international norms for high-risk AI applications.

Document Type

Article

Topic(s)

Emerging Science and Technologies, Defense Policy, Ethics

Publication Date

9-18-2026

Publisher

Institute for National Strategic Studies

City

Washington, D.C.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, AI governance, agentic AI, autonomous systems, AI risk, meaningful human control, military artificial intelligence, AI safety, AI accountability, TEVV

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4324-6655

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6505-4729

Recommended Citation

Annett, Elise and Giordano, James, "Between Extinction and Hubris: A Dialectical Approach to AI Risk, Control, and Governance" (2026). Strategic Insights. 66.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/strategic-insights/66