Future armed conflicts will be avoided or resolved by very different means than today and the defense sector must get ready for this paradigm change. Artificial intelligence is not only powering autonomous weapon systems, but also supporting military planning and decision making. 3D printing spare parts for military vehicles will have a lasting impact on lead times and logistics. Last but not least, cyber warfare has become a reality and new digital threats abound.
Each of these developments comes with its own legal challenges that must be mastered but overregulating or even banning the use of AI in the military domain is not a viable option as it would seriously undermine our defense-readiness. International humanitarian Law (IHL) is in fact well equipped to handle new weapon systems which can be designed, deployed and continuously improved to ensure their compliance even under the most challenging conditions.
The use of AI in the military domain requires an interdisciplinary, joint effort of governmental bodies, OEM, academia and knowledegable advisors that ensures the consideration of all relevant technical, legal and ethical aspects throughout the entire lifecycle of military AI systems. Leupold Legal is contributing its expertise to support new military capabilities and enable an effective defense in a changing geopolitical landscape.
