In analysing the contemporary uses of data in emerging narratives of war, background research, interviews with military officers and decision-makers, and field observations have highlighted important trends. There is a missing link that needs to be established. As an increasing number of activities are outsourced by the most sovereign institutions in charge of monitoring, preparing for and managing conflicts and warlike phenomena, from data collection to the development of operational strategies, our analysis intends to focus on these actors on the periphery of states (GAFAM, innovative technology and AI start-ups, consulting firms, providers of services to the armies), but at the heart of contemporary armed conflicts. Corporate actors are at the centre of a new equation, influencing the behaviour and representations of the more traditional entities in warfare in the digital age. This is also changing the nature of civil-military relations in the United States (US) and in Europe. Recent developments in Europe (including France), but above all in the new US context, call into question the survivability of previous initiatives on regulation and accountability of AI innovations in defence. New deregulations to weaken the oversight role of Congress will strengthen the influence of the corporate sector and pose a real challenge to democratic institutions.