The United Nations is launching an international initiative focused on the military applications of artificial intelligence. The effort aims to address growing concerns regarding the threat the rapidly developing technology poses to humanity.
The project is led by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, known as UNIDIR. The Geneva-based institute planned to launch the effort on Thursday to establish the first international forum for key players to confront the issue.
Robin Geiss, head of UNIDIR, warned at a press conference on Tuesday that the margin for human judgment is increasingly narrow, including in the nuclear domain. He stated that it is difficult to assess how close the world is to machines acting outside human control, and that uncertainty is the main issue the forum seeks to resolve.
Geiss pointed out that artificial intelligence is creeping into early warning systems, reconnaissance, and information gathering. He noted that it is quite difficult to say at which point humanity is actually losing control.
According to Geiss, a previous reluctance to establish artificial intelligence guardrails has shifted. The proliferation of capabilities and potential impacts have created a growing realization that authorities stand at a crossroads and must act on military applications.
Global competition to lead in artificial intelligence poses serious obstacles, but Geiss said concerns are transcending geopolitical blocs. Major powers are taking action, pointing to a proposal last month by the United States and China to set up an artificial intelligence safety alert system for national security threats.
The risks of artificial intelligence were a major topic during speeches by leaders of many UN member nations at their annual high-level meeting. Over the summer, UNIDIR established a Center of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security, which received funding from all five major nuclear powers consisting of the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France.
The new forum will bring together actors from every relevant sector worldwide to work on military uses of the technology. Another effort will focus on industry roles to develop a framework for responsible behavior.
Geiss explained that company decisions on design and development determine whether military capabilities remain reliable, predictable, and compliant with international law. UNIDIR is developing voluntary guidelines to ensure human rights and adherence to legal standards.
Consultations this week will include defense technology companies, software developers, subcontractors, and investors working alongside governments, academia, and civil society. A separate initiative will target the risks of artificial intelligence misuse by armed groups for operational planning and logistics.
Geiss stated that the urgent issue will no longer be allowed to linger in the shadows. He urged the international community to pull strengths together and confront military artificial intelligence head-on.
