IB Digital Society 5.2A Conflict, Peace, and Security Key Definitions

The degree to which a system can operate and make decisions on its own, without human control. Autonomy is a spectrum, from simple assistance to full independence.

The use of digital attacks on an opponent's computer systems and networks to disrupt, damage, or spy, often targeting critical infrastructure. A defining feature is the attribution problem: it is frequently hard to prove who launched an attack, which weakens deterrence and accountability.

False information created and spread deliberately to deceive, often to sway opinion during a conflict or an election. It differs from misinformation, which is false information shared without the intent to mislead.

Weapons systems that use AI to select and attack targets on their own, with little or no human involvement in the decision to kill. The central debate is whether meaningful human control must be preserved, since a machine cannot be held responsible for a wrongful killing.

Media that is generated or heavily altered by artificial intelligence rather than captured from the real world, including AI-written text, images, audio, and video.