Vienna has become the hub of an international community gathering to discuss the use of autonomous weapons equipped with artificial intelligence. The debate is centered on not only the risks posed by these weapons, but also the legal responsibilities associated with their use.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has warned that humanity is at a critical point, facing an “Oppenheimer moment” similar to the nuclear bomb’s creation in 1945. He emphasized the importance of creating international rules and norms to prevent uncontrolled proliferation of advanced weapons.
The major powers like the United States, China, India, and Russia have differing views on regulation, making it difficult to find agreement in an increasingly polarized world. Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, Arnoldo André Tinoco, is advocating for regional regulations on autonomous weapons. He stressed the need to create awareness of the dangers posed by these weapons and the importance of drafting an international convention to regulate them.
Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Red Cross, expressed concerns about the potential loss of human control over the use of violence through the development of AI in weapons systems. She emphasized the importance of international regulation, even if some large countries do not participate.
At the conclusion of the conference, a summary of the discussions will be published to highlight the key points necessary for a future legal instrument to regulate autonomous weapons. It is clear that action is needed to address