AI & The Future of Conflict | GJIA

The development and use of weapons that can undertake autonomous functions during conflict is becoming the focus of states and tech companies.

In 2017 , an open letter from the Future Life Institute to the United Nations signed by 126 CEOs and founders of artificial intelligence and robotics companies “implored” states to prevent an arms race for autonomous weapons systems (AWS).

China has committed 150 billion dollars to become the world leader in AI technology, compared to Russian spending of 181 million dollars from 2021 to 2023 and U.S. spending of 4.6 billion dollars .

Jane ’s stated that more than 80,000 surveillance drones and almost 2,000 attack drones will be purchased around the world in the next decade .

The United States , the United Kingdom , and Israel remain the largest users of drones.

The GGE ’s latest report, published in 2023 , emphasizes that legal measures must exist to restrict the use of “weapon systems based on emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems.

As an unprecedented innovation in the weaponry of war, AWS requires a new international legal framework that is robust and flexible enough to keep pace with the pace of technological progress.