Ethical Artificial Intelligence in the Italian Defence: a Case Study

The ethical or responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to numerous civilian AI governance frameworks and literature. Not so in defence: only a handful governments have engaged with questions arising from the development for defence. This paper fills critical gap ethics literature by providing evidence on perception within national defence institution. Our qualitative case study analyses how collective Italian Defence leadership thinks about deploying systems implications. We interviewed 15 leaders impact Defence, key challenges, responsibility future action. findings suggest that are keen address issues but encounter challenges developing system approach implement across organisation. Guidance risk management human–machine interaction, applied education, interdisciplinary research, as well guidance European Union elements they adapt their organisational processes AI-enabled digital transformation.