Dr. Jovana Davidovic, Chief Ethics Officer at BABL AI and Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Iowa, has been awarded a $1 million research grant by the Research Council of Norway to develop ethical risk management frameworks for AI systems in military use.
Working in partnership with the Peace Research Institute Oslo, where she also serves as a senior researcher, Dr. Davidovic’s work focuses on safeguarding civilians in an era where AI-powered weapons and decision-support tools are reshaping modern warfare. The project will design lifecycle oversight mechanisms—spanning from initial design through battlefield deployment—for AI-enabled military systems such as loitering munitions and semi-autonomous targeting platforms.
“When these things fail, they can fail on a grand scale,” Dr. Davidovic said in an interview with Iowa Magazine, reflecting on the global stakes of AI’s use in conflict zones.
A long-time scholar of wartime ethics, Dr. Davidovic advises military academies, defense contractors, and governments around the world on how to align AI use with international humanitarian law, especially around the obligation to protect noncombatants. Her work responds to rising concerns about accountability, explainability, and over-reliance on AI in high-stakes operations.
At BABL AI, Dr. Davidovic leads the company’s ethics advisory practice, helping organizations build and evaluate responsible AI systems across sectors—including healthcare, insurance, finance, and government.
“Organizations are generally eager to develop ethical frameworks around AI use because they understand the risks,” she noted.
Despite her warnings about unchecked AI, Dr. Davidovic maintains a pragmatic optimism: “I really do believe AI can cure cancer and solve climate change… But AI that causes more harm than it helps is not worth our time and effort.”
BABL AI is proud to support and amplify Dr. Davidovic’s mission to shape ethical, enforceable, and global governance norms around artificial intelligence.
About BABL AI:
Since 2018, BABL AI has been auditing and certifying AI systems, consulting on responsible AI best practices and offering online education on related topics. BABL AI’s overall mission is to ensure that all algorithms are developed, deployed, and governed in ways that prioritize human flourishing.
