Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping the security landscape of the Western Balkans, a region marked by fragile political environments and contested governance. This paper examines how AI amplifies hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, facilitates election interference, and enables destabilization by both state and non-state actors. Through machine learning and automated systems, malicious actors can create disinformation campaigns, exploit vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure, and manipulate public opinion. The study places these developments within the broader context of hybrid threats, highlighting the interplay between technological innovation and systemic weaknesses in democratic institutions. By analyzing recent cases and emerging trends, the paper argues that AI-driven security challenges in the Western Balkans are not merely technical but deeply political, requiring coordinated responses that combine cybersecurity measures, regulatory frameworks, and resilience-building at societal and institutional levels.
DOI: 10.5937/sjem2601119s
Authors: Marko Savković, Igor Novaković
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7135417792