Beyond the Battlefield: The Ethical Implications and Regulatory Challenges of Using Autonomous AI Systems for Environmental Security and Resource Protection

Ivanov, Aleksandar and Babanoski, Kire and Cvetković, Vladimir (2026) Beyond the Battlefield: The Ethical Implications and Regulatory Challenges of Using Autonomous AI Systems for Environmental Security and Resource Protection. Serbian Journal of Engineering Management Special Issue, 11 (1). pp. 61-69. ISSN 2466-4693

Text 2466-46932601061I.pdf Download (679kB)

Abstract

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) transitions from military and industrial domains to
environmental science, a fundamental shift toward data-driven methodologies is reshaping planetary protection.
However, this transition frequently imports battlefield logic into conservation, utilizing autonomous systems—
such as drones and machine learning algorithms—that introduce complex ethical and regulatory challenges. This
paper presents a conceptual synthesis of Human-Centered AI (HCAI) frameworks and ecological security
perspectives to address these risks. We identify critical friction points, including anthropocentric biases that
neglect non-human wellbeing, a responsibility gap in autonomous decision-making, privacy infringements
through surveillance, and the paradoxical environmental footprint of AI computing. To mitigate these risks, we
propose three actionable recommendations: incorporating non-anthropocentric metrics into ethical AI standards;
harmonizing transboundary regulatory frameworks to align with global standards like the EU AI Act; and
mandating strictly defined human-in-the-loop protocols for all autonomous environmental interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Scientific Fields (Frascati) > Social Sciences > Other social sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Security
Depositing User:	PhD Kire Babanoski
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2026 11:34
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2026 11:34
URI:	https://eprints.uklo.edu.mk/id/eprint/11460

Actions (login required)

View Item