South Korea summit aims to create 'blueprint' for integrating AI into the military

However, any agreements reached are not expected to have binding powers to enforce it.

The two-day summit saw representatives from over 90 countries, including major players like the United States and China, gather in Seoul for the second such event.

The first summit took place in Amsterdam last year, where nations including the US and China supported a non-binding "call to action."

South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, in his opening address, highlighted the role of AI in recent conflicts, citing a Ukrainian drone equipped with AI technology during the Russia-Ukraine war as an example of how AI can provide a technological advantage.

"As AI is applied to the military domain, operational capabilities are dramatically enhanced," Kim said, though he also warned of potential risks from misuse.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul outlined that the summit discussions would address issues such as ensuring AI military applications comply with international law and preventing autonomous weapons from making critical decisions without human oversight.

The goal of the Seoul summit is to develop a blueprint for AI in the military, establishing basic guidelines and reflecting principles proposed by NATO, the US, and other countries.

It remains unclear how many participating nations will endorse the blueprint, which aims to set boundaries for AI military use without legal obligations.

The summit is one of several international discussions on military AI use.

The United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is also exploring restrictions on lethal autonomous weapons systems to ensure compliance with humanitarian law.

Additionally, last year the US government introduced a declaration on the responsible use of military AI, which has been endorsed by 55 countries as of August.

Co-hosted by South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, the Seoul summit seeks to foster ongoing discussions among stakeholders from various sectors, including international organizations, academia, and the private sector.

Topics will cover civilian protection and the use of AI in managing nuclear weapons, with approximately 2,000 participants registered globally.