South Korea Summit Aims to Draft Blueprint for AI Use in Military

South Korea has gathered over 90 countries, including representatives from the United States and China, to participate in a two-day international summit in Seoul aimed at developing a responsible framework for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military operations. While the summit seeks to establish foundational guidelines, any agreement reached is expected to lack legal enforcement.

Global Participation at the Summit

This marks the second global summit of its kind, following the inaugural gathering in Amsterdam last year. The first summit saw the U.S., China, and other nations endorse a modest "call to action" without formal legal commitments. This year's event aims to push further by refining these guidelines and broadening the conversation.

AI in Modern Warfare: Ukraine’s Example

In the opening remarks, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun referenced the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting how AI-enabled drones have given Ukraine a technological advantage. These AI-driven drones help overcome signal jamming and can coordinate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to operate in swarms.

"Recently, in the Russia-Ukraine war, an AI-applied Ukrainian drone functioned as David's slingshot," Kim noted, emphasizing the increasing influence of AI in warfare.

Balancing AI’s Benefits and Risks

While AI can significantly enhance military capabilities, it also brings inherent risks, according to Kim. "As AI is applied to the military domain, the military's operational capabilities are dramatically improved. However it is like a double-edged sword, as it can cause damage from abuse," he warned. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul further elaborated that discussions at the summit would focus on legal frameworks to ensure AI usage in the military adheres to international law. Additionally, conversations will address mechanisms to prevent autonomous weapons from making critical decisions without human oversight.

Seeking a Blueprint for Responsible AI Use

The summit hopes to produce a blueprint, setting out minimum standards and principles for the ethical use of AI in military operations. The guidelines are expected to reflect NATO, U.S., and other international standards. However, it remains uncertain how many nations will endorse this framework by the conclusion of the summit.

International Discussions on AI in the Military

The Seoul summit is part of a larger global dialogue on AI in military applications. Countries involved in the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) under the U.N. continue to debate restrictions on lethal autonomous weapon systems to ensure compliance with humanitarian law. The U.S. government also launched a declaration in 2023 promoting the responsible use of AI in the military, with 55 countries signing on as of August 2024.

Multi-Stakeholder Approach and Broader Goals

Co-hosted by the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, the summit in Seoul encourages dialogue among governments, the private sector, and academia. Though much of the technological advancement in AI is driven by private industry, governments remain the key players in deciding its application in military contexts. Around 2,000 participants from around the globe have registered to discuss topics such as protecting civilians and the potential use of AI in nuclear weapons control.