At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra has announced that in February 2023 the Netherlands will host an international summit on the responsible application of artificial intelligence in the military domain.
The aim of the conference is to establish an agenda that will ultimately lead to international agreements on how to develop and apply this technology responsibly in this domain.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is essential for high-tech, future-proof armed forces. At the same time, there are risks and dilemmas associated with it, for instance if the deployment of AI leads to lack of human control, the potential escalation of violence or lack of clarity as regards responsibility.
According to Mr Hoekstra, “AI is developing at a rapid pace, including in the military domain. This new technology is set to become one of the greatest challenges we will face in the area of international security and arms control. If we don’t make international agreements now about frameworks for the responsible development, deployment and use of AI, we will regret it later.”
This international summit on Responsible AI in the Military Domain – REAIM 2023 – will be hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence at the World Forum in The Hague on 15 and 16 February. The event will bring together representatives of governments, knowledge institutions, industry, thinktanks and civil society organisations from all over the world.
REAIM 2023 aims to:
- Put the topic of responsible AI in the military domain higher on the political agenda.
- Mobilise and activate a wide group of stakeholders to contribute to concrete next steps.
- Foster and increase knowledge by sharing experiences, best practices and solutions.
REAIM 2023 will be organised along the following themes:
- Mythbusting AI: breaking down the characteristics of AI – what do we need to know about the technical aspects of AI to understand how it can be applied responsibly in a military context?
- Responsible deployment and use of AI – what do military applications of AI mean in practice? What are the main benefits and vulnerabilities?
- Governance frameworks – which frameworks exist to ensure AI is applied responsibly in the military domain? What additional instruments and tools could strengthen governance frameworks, and how can stakeholders contribute?
The technological developments in the area of AI take place primarily in the civil domain. Therefore, the summit will bring together high-level representatives of government bodies, civil society organisations, knowledge institutions and the private sector in order to discuss the key opportunities, challenges and risks associated with military applications of AI.
All stakeholders in the field of AI, such as governments, companies, NGOs, researchers, knowledge institutions, international organisations, students and others, are invited to contribute to the programme. For instance by organising workshops, talkshows, panel discussions, interviews or demonstrations.
REAIM 2023 will take place at the World Forum in The Hague. The summit will feature interesting plenary and breakout sessions, demonstrations, debates and workshops, and offer opportunities to meet others and expand your network. If you are interested in attending REAIM 2023 in person, you will be able to register via this website soon. Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory, due to strict security measures. Check this website regularly for updates.
Source: Government.nl
