Responsible AI in military summit highlights human control, endorsed by 61 countries

South Korea recently hosted a two-day international summit on Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM), with 61 countries endorsing a legally non-binding document aimed at guiding the ethical use of AI in military settings.

The event, which drew around 2,000 experts and government representatives from over 90 nations, was a significant forum for addressing AI’s role in military operations, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In his opening speech, South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun emphasized that while AI can enhance military capabilities, it also carries risks if misused. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where AI-enabled drones have been deployed, was cited as a pertinent example of AI’s impact.

The REAIM Blueprint for Action consists of 20 clauses organized into three main areas: the effects of AI on international peace and security, the implementation of responsible AI practices in the military, and the future governance of AI in this domain.

The document stresses that military AI applications must adhere to national and international laws and emphasizes the necessity of maintaining human involvement in decision-making processes related to the use of force.

Key topics covered included risk assessments, confidence-building measures, and preventing the misuse of AI for weapons proliferation, particularly by terrorist groups.

China chose not to participate, one of 30 countries to opt out, while Russia was excluded from the summit for the second consecutive year due to international backlash over its invasion of Ukraine.

The summit, co-hosted by South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the UK, followed last year's inaugural meeting in The Hague, which focused on establishing initial guidelines for AI use in warfare. This year’s declaration is more action-oriented, aiming to move from understanding to implementation.

South Korea plans to advance discussions on the summit's outcomes at the upcoming UN General Assembly later this month.