Open Access Research Article
HACKING THE PEACE TABLE: AI-ASSISTED MEDIATION, CYBER INTERFERENCE AND THE INTEGRITY OF PEACE PROCESSES
Abstract
The increasing use of
artificial intelligence in conflict analysis, information processing and peace
mediation creates new opportunities for supporting negotiations, but it also
introduces vulnerabilities that are not adequately addressed by treating AI merely
as a technological tool. This paper examines the problem of cyber interference
and information manipulation in AI-assisted mediation during armed conflict. It
asks how the integrity of a mediation process may be affected when the
information, technological infrastructure or AI-generated outputs on which
mediation relies are deliberately manipulated or compromised. The study focuses
on the relationship between AI-assisted mediation, cyber operations, mediation
principles and the applicable rules of international law.
The paper adopts a doctrinal
and qualitative research methodology, drawing upon international humanitarian
law, the law of State responsibility, mediation principles, United Nations
peacebuilding materials, International Committee of the Red Cross materials,
professional guidance on the use of AI in mediation, and existing academic
literature on AI-assisted peace negotiations. The analysis also considers the
Indian Mediation Act, 2023 as a comparative domestic reference point, without
treating it as a legal framework governing international peace negotiations
during armed conflict.
The paper argues that the
principal concern is not simply whether AI is used in mediation, but whether the
information and technological systems through which AI operates remain reliable
and trustworthy. To address this problem, the paper proposes a Mediation-System
Integrity Framework consisting of four interconnected dimensions: data
integrity, system integrity, output integrity and procedural integrity. The
framework demonstrates how manipulation at an earlier stage may affect
subsequent stages of the mediation process and ultimately undermine
confidentiality, neutrality, impartiality, party autonomy and confidence in
negotiations. The paper further examines the relevance and limits of
international humanitarian law and State responsibility in responding to such
interference.
The paper recommends
safeguards including meaningful human oversight, data provenance and
verification, audit trails, appropriate disclosure of AI assistance,
cybersecurity protections, incident-response procedures, independent
verification and the incorporation of digital safeguards into peace agreements.
It concludes that AI-assisted mediation should remain subordinate to human responsibility
and established mediation principles, with technological integrity treated as
an essential component of the integrity of contemporary peace processes.
KEYWORDS: Artificial Intelligence;
AI-Assisted Mediation; Cyber Interference; Armed Conflict; Peace Processes;
International Humanitarian Law; State Responsibility; Mediation-System
Integrity.
Published Paper
Author Details
Authors: SONIA SAHANIRegistration ID: 1013614 | Published Paper ID: IJLRA13614Approved ISSN: 2582-6433 | Country: Delhi, India
Article Information
HACKING THE PEACE TABLE: AI-ASSISTED MEDIATION, CYBER INTERFERENCE AND THE INTEGRITY OF PEACE PROCESSES
Authors: SONIA SAHANI
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Volume 3
- Issue 8
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- AbbreviationIJLRA
- ISSN2582-6433
- AccessOpen Access
- LicenseCC 4.0
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