The Declaration on the Responsible Use of Autonomous AI Weapons
As the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics continues to evolve, we are witnessing a profound transformation in the nature of warfare and defense strategies. The advent of Autonomous AI Weapons (AAW) has introduced capabilities with far-reaching implications for global security, ethical standards, and the legal frameworks governing armed conflict.
Recognizing the urgent need to address these developments, the Robotics Watch Foundation presents the Declaration on the Responsible Use of Autonomous AI Weapons.
This Declaration aims to establish guiding principles for the ethical development, deployment, and use of AAW, ensuring that advancements in military technology align with our collective responsibility to uphold human dignity, peace, and international law.
Definitions
To facilitate a clear understanding and application of this Declaration, we define the following terms:
​
Autonomous AI Weapons (AAW): Weapon systems that, once activated, can select, engage, and neutralize targets without further human intervention, based on their programming, sensors, and AI algorithms.
Human Oversight: The meaningful involvement of human judgment in the decision-making process of AAW deployment, including the selection and engagement of targets.
Proportionality and Discrimination: Principles of international humanitarian law requiring that the use of force in conflict must be proportional to the military advantage gained and discriminate between combatants and non-combatants.
Accountability: The assignment of responsibility for the actions taken by AAW, ensuring that legal and ethical standards are maintained in their use.
Article 1
Commitment to International Humanitarian Law
​
AAW must be developed and deployed in strict adherence to international humanitarian law, respecting the principles of humanity, necessity, proportionality, and discrimination.
​
Article 2
Ensuring Human Oversight
​
There must be meaningful human oversight in the deployment of AAW to ensure ethical decision-making and accountability, particularly in life-and-death situations.
​
Article 3
Prohibition of Indiscriminate Use
​
The development or deployment of AAW that cannot distinguish between combatants and non-combatants or otherwise operate in an indiscriminate manner is strictly prohibited.
​
Article 4
Transparency in Development and Deployment
​
States and entities involved in the development and deployment of AAW should be transparent about their practices, ensuring that their actions are subject to public scrutiny and international oversight.
​
Article 5
Ethical Development and Deployment
​
AAW must be developed and deployed with a commitment to ethical standards, ensuring that their use is justified, necessary, and respects human rights and dignity.
​
Article 6
Accountability for Actions
​
Clear mechanisms must be established to ensure accountability for the actions of AAW, including the attribution of responsibility for harm caused by their operation.
​
Article 7
International Cooperation
​
States, international organizations, and relevant stakeholders should cooperate in the development of norms, regulations, and oversight mechanisms for AAW, sharing knowledge and best practices to promote global security and stability.
​
Article 8
Limitation of Proliferation
​
Efforts should be made to limit the proliferation of AAW, especially to non-state actors or states that may use them in violation of international law or for human rights abuses.
​
Article 9
Advancement of Peaceful Use
​
The development and deployment of AAW should prioritize advancements that contribute to peace, security, and stability, avoiding an arms race in autonomous military technologies.
​
Article 10
Ongoing Review and Adaptation
​
The use of AAW should be subject to ongoing review and adaptation as technology evolves, ensuring that ethical and legal standards are continuously upheld.