Summit tackles AI integration in military operations

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines reinforced its commitment to equitable access and rules-based governance in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations.

Charles Jose, Department of Foreign Affairs undersecretary for multilateral affairs and international economic relations, stressed the importance of ensuring responsible AI use during the 2024 Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (ReAIM) Summit held recently in Seoul.?

“The Philippines believes that the use of AI in military applications should be guided by clearly defined principles of responsible behavior, existing international norms and the values upon which these norms are based. However, these guidelines should not impede the development and adoption of legally binding rules governing the use of AI in military contexts,” Jose said during his intervention at the ReAIM Summit.

Co-hosted by South Korea, the Netherlands and Singapore, the ReAIM Summit focused on fostering dialogue among nations to promote the responsible development, deployment and use of AI in military domains.

This year’s theme, Responsible AI for a Safer Tomorrow, underscored the global commitment to leveraging AI’s potential while addressing its risks.

The ReAIM Summit continues to serve as a platform for countries to address the ethical, legal and security implications of AI in military contexts, facilitating international collaboration and guiding the responsible use of emerging technologies

The Philippines’ active engagement in the summit reflects its dedication to contributing to the development of international norms that ensure AI technologies are used responsibly and with transparency in military applications.?

In his remarks, Jose underscored the importance of ensuring responsible AI use, referencing the outcomes of the Manila Meeting on Indo-Pacific perspectives on autonomous weapons systems (AWS) hosted by the Philippines in December 2023.?

In that AWS meeting, regional and international stakeholders engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the growing role of AI in defense and security, focusing on ensuring that AI’s military applications remain ethical, accountable and environmentally sustainable.?

Jose also held bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the summit with key partners and the United Nations to further enhance cooperation in the field of AI governance.