Responsible AI Symposium - Introduction

Responsible AI Symposium - Introduction

Responsible AI Symposium - Introduction

By Tobias Vestner and Sean Watts

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly developed, deployed, and used for defense and military purposes. This offers opportunities yet also poses challenges regarding its governance and regulation. While diplomatic efforts have focused on regulating lethal autonomous weapon systems so far, the integration of AI concerns a much broader spectrum of defense-related and military applications.

In this context, the United States has introduced the concept of “responsible AI” (RAI) to guide its efforts on defense and military AI. NATO has included principles on the responsible use of AI in its AI Strategy. Other States and organizations are conducting similar efforts, with the Netherlands organizing a Summit on Responsible AI in the Military Domain in 2023.

To what extent and how policies and measures on RAI interrelate with international law deserves clarification. To this aim, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) has launched the Geneva Process on AI Principles.

This led to an expert workshop and this Symposium with Articles of War, offering several analyses on the nexus between international law and the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI for defense and military purposes.

Tobias Vestner, is Director of the Research and Policy Advice Department and Head of the Security and Law Programme at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP)

Sean Watts is a Professor in the Department of Law at the United States Military Academy, Co-Director of the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare at West Point, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Articles of War.

Disclaimer: This publications is part of a symposium organised by GCSP in partnership with the Articles of War blog of the Lieber Institute. The views, information and opinions expressed in this publication are the author’s/authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of the GCSP or the members of its Foundation Council. The GCSP is not responsible for the accuracy of the information