Global peace has declined for the twelfth consecutive year, with the economic impact of violence reaching 21,8 trilioni di dollari, or 10,5% of world GDP, according to the 2026 Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics & Peace. The report identifies 61 active armed conflicts—the highest number since World War II—and highlights artificial intelligence as a critical new factor in international security and industrial stability.
Why is global stability now an industrial variable?
International security no longer exists in a vacuum; it has become a central component of global industrial strategy. According to the Institute for Economics & Peace, regional tensions, wars, and political instability directly dictate trends in logistics, energy supplies, and global value chains. The world has entered a phase of “Great Fragmentation,” where the erosion of international order allows crises to spill across borders via cyberattacks, migration, and financial volatility.
How does artificial intelligence impact global security?
The 2026 Global Peace Index categorizes AI as a primary driver of future geopolitical shifts. The development of advanced AI models now requires immense capital, high-end computing power, and massive data center infrastructure. This creates a technological concentration where power is increasingly held by a few actors, primarily the United States and China.
The report frames computational capacity as a critical infrastructure, similar to semiconductors or energy. Control over these models grants influence over future productivity and provides the backbone for automated warfare and sophisticated defense systems. Because data centers require vast amounts of electricity, the Institute for Economics & Peace warns that national AI policy is now inseparable from energy policy.
What is the economic outlook for Italy?
Italy faces a dual challenge in this fragmented landscape: strengthening domestic technological autonomy and securing its position within European digital supply chains. While the country is not the primary focus of the report, the Institute for Economics & Peace highlights that Italy’s Mediterranean location makes regional stability a core economic interest.
Pro Tip: To maintain long-term competitiveness, the report suggests that national systems must prioritize investments in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and applied research. Failure to integrate into these digital frameworks risks increased dependency on foreign technology and stunted economic growth.
Is there a role for “AI for Peace”?
A paradox exists in the current technological landscape. While AI is being integrated into military and offensive defense strategies, the same technology is currently deployed for diplomatic mediation, real-time translation, documenting human rights abuses, and planning post-conflict reconstruction. However, the report notes that the “AI for Peace” ecosystem remains significantly underfunded compared to commercial and military applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the total cost of global violence? According to the 2026 Global Peace Index, the cost of violence has hit 21,8 trilioni di dollari, representing 10,5% of global GDP.
- Why is the world considered to be in “Great Fragmentation”? The term refers to the erosion of international order and the increased difficulty in containing the effects of conflicts, which now propagate through energy, trade, and cyber networks.
- How should countries respond to AI-driven instability? The report suggests shifting the definition of resilience from simple stockpiling to investing in strategic technologies, energy security, and international research cooperation.
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