# Epistemic Delegation: Private AI Firms, Operational Knowledge, and the Future of Security Cooperation > Source: > Published: 2026-07-10 19:54:14+00:00 The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled firms in security cooperation requires a concept that captures more than ordinary contracting. This article calls that concept epistemic delegation. Epistemic delegation occurs when states rely on private systems to produce, organize, and interpret the operational knowledge on which military decisions depend. The term does not imply that private firms replace commanders, governments, or … [Read more](https://smallwarsjournal.com/2026/07/10/epistemic-delegation/) The post [Epistemic Delegation: Private AI Firms, Operational Knowledge, and the Future of Security Cooperation](https://smallwarsjournal.com/2026/07/10/epistemic-delegation/) appeared first on [Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University](https://smallwarsjournal.com).