AGENTIC AI FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY ON AUTONOMOUS AGENTS IN SURVEILLANCE, STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING, AND MILITARY OPERATIONS WITH A FOCUS ON ETHICAL AND LEGAL BOUNDARIES

This analytical study explores the integration of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) systems autonomous agents capable of independent decision-making into national security and defense domains, with particular emphasis on surveillance, strategic decision-making, and military operations. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including systematic literature review, secondary data analysis from defense reports, and hypothetical simulations grounded in real-world datasets, the study examines the transformative potential of these technologies while scrutinizing ethical dilemmas such as accountability, bias, and lethal autonomy, alongside legal frameworks like international humanitarian law. Key findings reveal a 45% increase in AI adoption for surveillance between 2020 and 2024 across major powers, yet highlight persistent gaps in regulatory oversight, with 68% of surveyed experts citing accountability as a primary concern. The analysis underscores the need for robust ethical guidelines and adaptive legal structures to mitigate risks. Conclusions advocate for interdisciplinary policy reforms to harness agentic AI's benefits while safeguarding human rights and global stability, contributing to theoretical advancements in AI governance within security contexts.