On September 9, South Korea convened a two-day international summit to develop a plan for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the military. This was reported by Reuters.
More than 90 countries, including the United States and China, sent representatives to Seoul. This is the second such meeting, with the first held in Amsterdam last year.
“Recently, during the Russia-Ukraine war, a Ukrainian drone with artificial intelligence played the role of David’s sling,” said South Korean Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun in his opening speech.
He referred to Ukraine’s efforts to gain a technological edge over Russia by developing AI-powered drones that can overcome signal jamming and be deployed in larger groups.
“The use of AI in the military significantly enhances operational capabilities. However, it is akin to a double-edged sword, as misuse can cause harm,” Hyun stated.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul stated that discussions would include mechanisms to prevent autonomous weapons from making life-and-death decisions without human oversight.
Participants at the Seoul summit hope to agree on an action plan to establish a minimum level of restrictions for AI in the military and propose principles for the responsible use of the technology, reflecting the doctrine of NATO, the US, and several other countries.
It remains unclear how many summit participants will endorse the document. It is likely to lack legal obligations, Reuters notes.
Earlier, Pope Francis, during the G7 summit, called for a ban on the use of artificial intelligence in warfare and the development of ethical frameworks for the technology.
In China, AI is being used for military simulations.