Sovereign Intelligence: A Governance Framework for AI-Assisted National Security Analysis

Abstract

AI systems can support national-security analysis, but task capability does not establish legitimate decision authority or the superiority of a particular institutional design. This paper proposes a federated governance framework separating evidence ownership, analytical services, decision assurance, human authorization and accountability. A nine-layer role map and staged maturity scenarios organize proposed responsibilities and failure questions. Artificial superintelligence is treated as a hypothetical contingency, not an established or imminent capability. A useful result would require a bounded prospective comparison showing improved analytical quality or correction behavior without unacceptable burdens, disclosure, rights or accountability failures. No implemented national system, empirical finding of superiority, operational deployment or specialist endorsement is reported. Institutional feasibility and distributional effects remain unestablished and require independent policy, legal, security and human-factors review. ChatGPT (OpenAI), under the author’s direction, assisted with research, critical review, drafting, visual development and document preparation; the author retains responsibility.