James Johnson

Dr James Johnson is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Strategic Studies in the Department of Politics & International Relations at the University of Aberdeen. He leads the Strategic Studies Network (SSN) and Wargaming Club, and holds affiliations such as Honorary Fellow at the University of Leicester and Non-Resident Research Associate with the European Research Council’s Towards a Third Nuclear Age project. His research focuses on AI’s intersection with nuclear strategy, strategic affairs, and political psychology. He advises governments (US, UK, EU) on AI/nuclear policy and has authored influential books like *The AI Commander* (OUP, 2024) and *AI and the Bomb* (OUP, 2023). His work explores AI ethics, algorithmic warfare, and strategic stability in the digital age.

Education: PhD in Politics from the University of Leicester. Fluent in Mandarin. Prior roles include Assistant Professor at Dublin City University and Postdoctoral Fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

Research Interests: Nuclear strategy, AI-enabled warfare, ethical dilemmas of human-machine collaboration, deterrence theory, and great power competition. His work critiques how AI transforms military decision-making and nuclear risk dynamics. Recent articles address the 'Stability-Instability Paradox' in AI warfare and AI’s role in nuclear command systems.

Advisory Roles: Advises US Department of Defense, NATO Nuclear Planning Group, UK Office for AI, and the Global Commission on Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM). His policy contributions include reports like *Proceed with Caution: AI in Weapon Systems* (House of Lords, 2023).

Labs/Initiatives: Founded the Strategic Studies Network (SSN) and directs Aberdeen’s Wargaming Club. Engages in collaborative projects like CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues and ERC-funded nuclear age research.