Putting the Second REAIM Summit into Context

Putting the Second REAIM Summit into Context
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Putting the Second REAIM Summit into Context

By Tobias Vestner and Simon Cleobury

Abstract

The upcoming second Summit on Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) will be a platform for multistakeholder dialogue on the implications of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into military systems. Hosted in Seoul by the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Kenya, and the United Kingdom on September 9-10, the Summit intends to generate ideas and political momentum towards ensuring the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI in the military domain and the establishment of relevant norms. Over a thousand participants from government, international and non-governmental organizations, members of industry, and academia are expected to attend, promising timely and relevant discussions.

The REAIM Summit is one among multiple diplomatic initiatives and normative processes, but it stands out as the one multistakeholder forum that unites a large spectrum of States and other significant actors. Uniquely, it provides a platform for a broad and inclusive discussion on AI in the defense and military sectors. As such, the REAIM Summit may serve as a possible uniting forum in the midst of conflicting State positions on how to move forward with global regulation of military AI. Thus, while the second REAIM Summit may have its own normative impact, it will also serve as a catalyst for other diplomatic and normative processes.

Dr Tobias Vestner is the Director of the Research and Policy Advice Department and the Head of the Security and Law Programme at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). He is a Visiting Scholar at the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) at Stanford University.

Simon Cleobury (@simoncleobury) is Head of Arms Control and Disarmament at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Disclaimer: This publication was originally published on Just Security website. The views, information and opinions expressed in this publication are the author’s/authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of the GCSP or the members of its Foundation Council. The GCSP is not responsible for the accuracy of the information.