Published on: 2026-10-21
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 21, 2026 Peace and Security
Artificial intelligence is already widely used on the battlefield, and the role of the human factor in military operations is rapidly diminishing. This was warned by Robin Geiss, head of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).
During a briefing at the UN headquarters in New York, the head of UNIDIR asked the question: “Will we allow machines to choose targets and kill people by themselves?” According to him, the world is rapidly moving toward a point where human judgment in military decision-making will be relegated to the background.
Commander and executor
Artificial intelligence is gaining increasing authority in the military field: from intelligence analysis and target identification to drone operation and coordination of cyberattacks. What is particularly alarming is that this happens at the expense of reducing human influence, emphasized Gace, including in issues related to the nuclear sphere.
Such a shift sharply accelerates the pace of military operations: the time between detecting a target and delivering a strike is reduced; the military gains the ability to attack an unprecedented number of targets.
At the same time, the operation of many modern AI systems remains opaque, which, as the head of UNIDIR warned, increases the risk of errors, miscalculations, and consequently, unintended escalation of conflicts.
Moreover, as the management of AI tools becomes simpler, non-state actors will find it increasingly easier to carry out more complex military operations.
Geopolitical tension
According to Gice, geopolitical tension remains a serious obstacle to regulating the use of AI in the military sphere. At the same time, concern about related risks is increasingly shared by countries, including the world’s largest powers. For example, in September, the United States proposed to China a mechanism for notifying about AI-related incidents, so that the two countries with the largest military expenditures in the world could warn each other about situations that may threaten national security.
According to the head of UNIDIR, the repeated calls by the UN Secretary-General for stricter regulation of the military use of AI and the conclusion of a legally binding international treaty on lethal autonomous weapon systems are increasingly gaining support in the international community.
UNIDIR is actively working on creating a foundation for multilateral cooperation on this issue. This Thursday, the organization is launching a new discussion platform on the use of AI in the field of maintaining international peace and security, as well as in the military domain. According to Gais, this is the first and so far only such forum within the UN system.
The forum’s work will focus on three areas:
1. Development of rules for responsible behavior in the field of AI
Creating practical voluntary guidelines for companies engaged in the design and development of military artificial intelligence systems.
2. Development of an “AI Safety Lexicon”
Clarification of key concepts such as “autonomy,” “security,” and “protection,” which are currently interpreted differently by various parties, creating ambiguity and hindering cooperation.
3. Reducing the risk of AI abuse by non-state armed groups
Studying ways to prevent the use of AI for operational planning, conducting operations, and logistical support of armed groups.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.