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About

Nik Hynek is a leading scholar in critical security studies, with a sharp focus on the militarization of emerging technologies, securitization theory, and global arms control. His major contributions lie in dissecting the political and ethical dilemmas of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) and artificial intelligence in warfare. Hynek’s work critically examines why traditional stigmatization campaigns, such as the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, can fail when over-securitization paradoxically entrenches the very technologies they seek to ban. His 2023 paper on this topic (12 citations) and his 2022 book *Militarizing Artificial Intelligence* (11 citations) offer an original framework for understanding the intersection of military innovation, political rhetoric, and regulatory deadlock. Hynek also identifies six key dilemmas posed by AWS, moving the debate beyond simplistic “killer robots” narratives. His research has shaped how scholars and policymakers think about the governance of autonomous military systems, making him a vital voice in contemporary security studies. With a growing citation footprint, Hynek continues to influence critical debates on technology, power, and international security.