Global Leaders Gather in Seoul to Chart Military AI Regulations

South Korea hosted an international summit aimed at creating guidelines for the responsible use of AI in military applications. Representatives from over 90 countries, including the United States and China, attended the two-day event. The summit's goal is to establish a non-binding blueprint to regulate AI's military uses and prevent misconduct.

South Korea convened an international summit on Monday to develop responsible guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military operations. Despite the absence of enforceable commitments, representatives from over 90 nations, including the United States and China, participated in the two-day event held in Seoul.

The first summit occurred in Amsterdam last year, where countries endorsed a basic 'call to action' without legal obligations. South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun highlighted AI-enabled drones' role in Ukraine's technological edge over Russia, emphasizing AI's double-edged nature in enhancing military capabilities while posing risks.

Discussions at the Seoul summit covered legal compliance and mechanisms to prevent autonomous weapons from making life-and-death decisions without human oversight, aiming to set minimum guardrails and responsible-use principles. The event attracted around 2,000 participants, including global representatives from various sectors, focusing on civilian protection and AI's role in controlling nuclear weapons, among other topics.

(With inputs from agencies.)