Seoul Summit: Charting a New Course for AI in Military Use | Seoul summit | AI in army | military ai use | Turtles AI

The international summit in Seoul sets the groundwork for the responsible use of AI in the military, aiming to establish common guidelines among global powers despite the lack of binding commitments. More than 90 countries participate in discussions on military AI applications, from civilian protection to nuclear weapons control, amid rapid technological advances.

Highlights:

• Over 90 countries convened in Seoul to discuss the responsible use of AI in the military.
• The summit aims to establish an action plan defining minimum guidelines, yet without binding commitments.
• Discussions on lethal autonomous weapons and integrating AI in military operations management.
• Involvement of both the private sector and governments in promoting ethical and legal guidelines.

On Monday, South Korea hosted an international summit in Seoul to discuss the responsible use of AI in the military context. The meeting brought together government representatives from over 90 countries, including the United States and China, with the aim of outlining a common framework that could guide future applications of this technology in military operations. However, the resulting agreement is not expected to have binding powers for the effective enforcement of the proposed measures.

This summit represents the second of such meetings, following the one held in The Hague last year, where the United States, China, and other nations endorsed a "call to action" without legal commitments. The objective of these summits is to promote a multilateral dialogue on a topic involving both governments and the private sector, the main players in the development of AI technologies.

In his opening speech, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun referred to the use of AI-equipped Ukrainian drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, comparing them to "David’s slingshot." These drones, capable of operating even under signal jamming conditions and coordinating in large groups, exemplify how AI can provide a significant technological advantage. However, Kim emphasized that the use of AI in the military constitutes a "double-edged sword," capable of enhancing armed forces’ operational capabilities but also generating significant risks in cases of misuse.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul highlighted that the summit discussions would include a legal review to ensure compliance with international law and the definition of mechanisms to prevent autonomous weapons from making life-or-death decisions without appropriate human oversight. The ultimate goal is to agree on an action plan that sets a minimum level of "guard-rails" for the use of AI in the military, reflecting principles outlined by organizations such as NATO, the United States, and other countries.

A critical point of the summit is the issue of lethal autonomous weapons, which is also being discussed in other international forums, such as the 1983 UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). Additionally, last year, the U.S. government launched a declaration on the responsible use of AI in the military, a document covering a broader range of applications beyond weaponry, which has received the endorsement of 55 countries as of August.

The Seoul summit, co-hosted by countries like the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, aims to ensure ongoing dialogue among various stakeholders in a field where technological development is primarily driven by the private sector, but final decisions rest with governments. About 2,000 people worldwide have registered to participate in the summit, including representatives from international organizations, academia, and the private sector, to attend discussions on topics such as civilian protection and AI use in nuclear weapons control.

These meetings reflect a growing global interest in regulating emerging technologies, particularly in the military context, where AI can potentially redefine defense and attack strategies, raising complex ethical, legal, and strategic questions. Although the Seoul summit does not foresee binding results, it represents a significant step towards building a common understanding of how AI can be used safely and responsibly by armed forces worldwide.

The debate on military AI is part of a broader discussion on the ethics and responsibilities associated with the use of these advanced technologies. While the development of AI is primarily driven by the private sector, its applications have significant implications for global security and require coordinated governance at the international level.