Strategic Narratives of Military AI : The IDF, Artificial Intelligence, and the Construction of Legitimacy

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores the strategic narratives constructed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) regarding their use of military artificial intelligence (AI) over two time periods, Period A (2020-2023) and Period B (2024-2025). Through the utilisation of Narrative Analysis and Strategic Narrative Theory, the thesis finds four main strategic narratives and traces a notable narrative rupture between the two periods. During Period A, a strategic issue narrative that frames military AI as a strategic necessity is identified, as well as an identity narrative that constructs the IDF as a highly technologically advanced army. Following international criticism of AI-targeting during the 2023 Gaza conflict, the strategic narratives in Period B shifted. In Period B, the IDF adopted a defensive narrative explicitly denying AI targeting, while revisiting an older identity narrative framing itself as the most moral army. These findings demonstrate that the IDF’s strategic narratives are not static but adapt to changing settings, reflecting a deliberate effort to legitimise and justify its AI usage actions. The thesis contributes to the emerging literature on contemporary military AI usage, and strategic narrative theory by extending the theory to incorporating military actors.