Ivan Zaccagnini

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Ivan Zaccagnini is a rising scholar at the intersection of defense studies, artificial intelligence, and strategic modernization. His research focuses on how late-adopting nations can integrate emerging technologies—particularly defense AI—into their military and security architectures. Zaccagnini’s most cited work, “Exploring the Benefits of a New Force Enabler: Defense AI in Italy” (2024), examines Italy’s efforts to close its technological gap in defense AI, analyzing the opportunities and risks of digitalization within the Italian Armed Forces. Though early in his career, with his flagship paper already garnering 2 citations, Zaccagnini provides timely insights into the challenges faced by countries striving to modernize their defense sectors amid rapid technological change. His work contributes to broader debates on strategic autonomy, innovation diffusion, and the ethical implications of AI in warfare. By focusing on a specific national context—Italy—he offers a valuable case study for researchers and policymakers interested in how smaller or latecomer states can leverage AI as a force enabler. Zaccagnini’s research is especially relevant for students of defense policy, technology governance, and European security.