Abstract

AI-based military applications present both opportunities and challenges for multinational military cooperation. This contribution takes stock of the state of discussions around AI-based military applications within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). While there have been a number of recent developments in national AI strategies and policies, discussions at the NATO level are still in early phases, and there is no agreed NATO policy in this area. Further multilateral work is needed if like-minded states such as NATO Allies and partners are to head off the serious risk that disagreements about these technologies might hamper effective multilateral military cooperation.

Highlights

  • AI-based military applications present both opportunities and challenges for multinational military cooperation

  • Further multilateral work is needed if like-minded states such as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies and partners are to head off the serious risk that disagreements about these technologies might hamper effective multilateral military cooperation

  • The 2018 German AI strategy—which is general in scope, not specific to the defense sector—refers to the need to “integrat[e] AI in society in ethical, legal, cultural and institutional terms in the context of a broad societal dialogue and active political measures.”[6]. In the United States, the Department of Defense recently adopted five principles that the Defense Innovation Board proposed to govern the development of AI systems in defense, emphasizing that such development must be: (1) responsible; (2) equitable; (3) traceable; (4) reliable; and (5) governable.[7]

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Summary

Steven Hill*

AI-based military applications present both opportunities and challenges for multinational military cooperation This contribution takes stock of the state of discussions around AI-based military applications within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Further multilateral work is needed if like-minded states such as NATO Allies and partners are to head off the serious risk that disagreements about these technologies might hamper effective multilateral military cooperation. The essay describes the publicly-accessible work that has taken place within NATO on AI issues. It uses two potential military applications of AI that are likely to be of interest in a NATO context, as well as some positive and negative elements associated with them. The essay suggests the need for continued multilateral dialogue on military use of AI

The Strategic Context at NATO
AJIL UNBOUND
NATO Activities to Date
AI Applications from a NATO Perspective
The Need for Multinational Dialogue

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