Session
Subtheme
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 1: Eugenio Garcia, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Sai Bourothu, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Jeremey England, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Sai Bourothu, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Jeremey England, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: 1.Encourages Open Dialogue – The complexity of AI-enabled military systems and their ethical implications requires interactive discussion rather than one-way presentations. A roundtable fosters real-time exchange of ideas among participants. 2.Balances Diverse Perspectives – Given the varied stances of Global South nations on AWS regulation, the format allows stakeholders—diplomats, researchers, and policymakers—to express viewpoints and identify common ground. 3. Promotes Cooperation – A roundtable setting facilitates collaborative problem-solving and brainstorming, helping speakers to explore ways to unify their stance in international negotiations. 4. Facilitates Policy Innovation – By examining past diplomatic successes (e.g., the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons), the session can generate actionable policy recommendations tailored to Global South interests. 5. Encourages Engagement on Societal Impact – The misuse of AI to provoke conflicts and manipulate information demands a participatory approach to explore mitigation strategies.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: 1.Encourages Open Dialogue – The complexity of AI-enabled military systems and their ethical implications requires interactive discussion rather than one-way presentations. A roundtable fosters real-time exchange of ideas among participants. 2.Balances Diverse Perspectives – Given the varied stances of Global South nations on AWS regulation, the format allows stakeholders—diplomats, researchers, and policymakers—to express viewpoints and identify common ground. 3. Promotes Cooperation – A roundtable setting facilitates collaborative problem-solving and brainstorming, helping speakers to explore ways to unify their stance in international negotiations. 4. Facilitates Policy Innovation – By examining past diplomatic successes (e.g., the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons), the session can generate actionable policy recommendations tailored to Global South interests. 5. Encourages Engagement on Societal Impact – The misuse of AI to provoke conflicts and manipulate information demands a participatory approach to explore mitigation strategies.
Policy Question(s)
1.How can the Global South collectively advocate for legally binding frameworks to regulate autonomous weapons at the international level?
2.How can ethical principles and international humanitarian law be incorporated into AI-driven military systems?
3.What legal safeguards should be implemented to prevent the misuse of AI in warfare?
4.How can Global South nations ensure that AI military advancements do not exacerbate regional conflicts and instability?
5.What are the risks of relying on AI-driven military technologies, and how can they be mitigated?
6.What diplomatic strategies can the Global South employ to influence international arms control agreements on autonomous weapon
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how AI-driven military technologies impact global security, with a particular focus on the Global South. They will be exposed to diverse perspectives from policymakers, technologists, and civil society representatives on the regulatory, ethical, and strategic challenges posed by autonomous weapons. The session will provide practical insights into best practices in AI governance, drawing from case studies in Brazil and South Africa, along with lessons from past diplomatic efforts like the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Attendees will leave with actionable strategies on how Global South nations can effectively participate in international arms control discussions, foster regional cooperation, and develop ethical AI frameworks for defense.
SDGs
Description:
The Global North's technological edge over the Global South creates a critical imbalance in military capabilities, particularly in the realm of autonomous weapons. This session will explore the ethical, strategic, and societal challenges posed by the proliferation of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) and the misuse of AI technologies in conflict scenarios, with a focus on the Global South. While smaller States advocate for strict, legally-binding regulations on AWS, larger States like China and India are developing AI-enabled military systems, and middle-sized States often prioritize AI's military applications over legal restrictions. This diversity of interests has hindered the Global South's ability to present a unified stance in global discussions. Further the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and other regional groups have faced challenges in providing substantive input during international discussions on autonomous weapons regulation. Given these divergent positions, this workshop will explore how the Global South can navigate these complexities by identifying common ground, fostering South-South cooperation, and proposing regulatory frameworks that balance security needs with ethical considerations. The session will include case studies on the use of AI in military conflicts, such as the deployment of autonomous drones in the Libyan civil war and the use of AI-assisted surveillance in counterinsurgency operations in South Asia. Additionally, it will examine best practices in AI governance, drawing insights from Brazil’s responsible AI framework and South Africa’s approach to AI ethics in defense. The session will also highlight successful diplomatic efforts, such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, as a model for potential arms control agreements on autonomous weapons. The session will delve into how AI technologies are exploited to provoke conflicts, disrupt societal harmony, and manipulate information landscapes. Through real-world examples the session will highlight the disproportionate impact of these technologies and discuss strategies to address these challenges.
The Global North's technological edge over the Global South creates a critical imbalance in military capabilities, particularly in the realm of autonomous weapons. This session will explore the ethical, strategic, and societal challenges posed by the proliferation of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) and the misuse of AI technologies in conflict scenarios, with a focus on the Global South. While smaller States advocate for strict, legally-binding regulations on AWS, larger States like China and India are developing AI-enabled military systems, and middle-sized States often prioritize AI's military applications over legal restrictions. This diversity of interests has hindered the Global South's ability to present a unified stance in global discussions. Further the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and other regional groups have faced challenges in providing substantive input during international discussions on autonomous weapons regulation. Given these divergent positions, this workshop will explore how the Global South can navigate these complexities by identifying common ground, fostering South-South cooperation, and proposing regulatory frameworks that balance security needs with ethical considerations. The session will include case studies on the use of AI in military conflicts, such as the deployment of autonomous drones in the Libyan civil war and the use of AI-assisted surveillance in counterinsurgency operations in South Asia. Additionally, it will examine best practices in AI governance, drawing insights from Brazil’s responsible AI framework and South Africa’s approach to AI ethics in defense. The session will also highlight successful diplomatic efforts, such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, as a model for potential arms control agreements on autonomous weapons. The session will delve into how AI technologies are exploited to provoke conflicts, disrupt societal harmony, and manipulate information landscapes. Through real-world examples the session will highlight the disproportionate impact of these technologies and discuss strategies to address these challenges.
Expected Outcomes
1.Whitepaper Release: SFLC.IN’s AI vertical will publish a whitepaper focusing on the role India can play in shaping AI governance in military applications and arms control.
2.Regional Discussions and Awareness Initiatives: SFLC.IN will continue this dialogue at regional levels, engaging policymakers, civil society, and the tech community to raise awareness on the ethical, legal, and strategic implications of AI-driven military technologies.
3.Policy Recommendations: Concrete proposals will be developed to inform diplomatic efforts, international negotiations, and regional AI governance strategies.
4.Collaboration Roadmap: Identification of potential partnerships between Global South nations to foster cooperation on AI regulation, ethical safeguards, and responsible AI development in military applications.
Hybrid Format: A dedicated moderator will manage the discussion, alternating between onsite and online participants to create a balanced dialogue. Online attendees will be able to submit questions and comments via a live chat feature, which the moderator will actively monitor and integrate into the discussion. To enhance accessibility, all participants will have access to presentation slides and multimedia materials shared during the session. Online participants will be encouraged to submit questions via live chat so their voices are included in real time. In the second segment panelists will share insights on counter-strategies, followed by an open discussion where both onsite and online participants can actively collaborate. Online participants will engage via live chat, contributing their perspectives, sharing lived experiences, and proposing alternative strategies.
To further enhance participation, the session will incorporate live streaming, allowing broader accessibility beyond IGF attendees.