UN Holds Landmark Talks on Regulating AI-Powered Autonomous Weapons Amid Global Debate
Image Credit: Curioso Photography | Splash
The United Nations General Assembly convened an informal session on May 12–13, 2025, at UN Headquarters to address the regulation of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), commonly referred to as AI-powered autonomous weapons. This meeting was mandated by General Assembly Resolution 79/62, adopted on December 2, 2024, with 166 votes in favor, 3 against, and 15 abstentions.
[Read More: AI Warfare: Autonomous Weapons Changing the Battlefield]
Background
Autonomous weapons systems utilize artificial intelligence to independently identify, select, and engage targets. Their increasing development and deployment in contemporary armed conflicts have prompted significant international debate over ethical, legal, and security implications. There are widespread concerns that such systems, if left unregulated, could operate without meaningful human control and complicate compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law.
[Read More: US Navy Deploys AI-Powered Laser Weapons to Combat Drone Swarm Threats]
UN Secretary-General’s Position
In a video message to delegates, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described lethal autonomous weapons systems as "politically unacceptable, morally repugnant and should be banned by international law". He urged member states to move towards negotiating binding international rules to ensure meaningful human control over such systems.
[Read More: AI on the Battlefield: Navigating the Ethical Minefield of Autonomous Weapons]
Session Objectives
The informal consultations, open to all UN member states, focused on:
Ethical standards: Exploring frameworks to ensure LAWS operate within the bounds of humanity and respect for human rights.
Legal compliance: Considering alignment with established international humanitarian law.
Security risks: Addressing the risk of proliferation and the potential misuse of autonomous weapons.
Delegates considered the need for new, legally binding instruments to address these risks, as well as the possibility of interim political declarations or voluntary measures.
[Read More: AI-Powered Drones Soar: Market Expected to Skyrocket to $206.9 Billion by 2033]
Diverging National Positions
While there was consensus on the necessity for international dialogue, significant differences remain among member states. Many states—including Austria, Brazil, and South Africa—advocated for urgent negotiation of a legally binding treaty prohibiting autonomous weapons that operate without meaningful human control. In contrast, major military powers such as the United States, Russia, and China emphasized the importance of further technical study and refrained from committing to a binding treaty at this stage.
[Read More: Stark Unveils AI-Powered OWE-V Drone as Global Autonomy Arms Race Accelerates]
Context in Recent Conflicts
Discussions were informed by the recent use of AI-enabled weaponry in conflicts such as Ukraine and Gaza. Delegates referenced these examples as underscoring the urgency of regulatory action, particularly concerning accountability for civilian harm and compliance with international law.
[Read More: AI on the Battlefield: A New Era of Warfare]
Civil Society and Expert Involvement
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Stop Killer Robots campaign participated as observers and provided expert input, reiterating calls for a preemptive ban and the establishment of robust international standards to ensure human accountability.
[Read More: Global Surge in Small Drones Empowers Militants Amid Weak Regulations]
Next Steps
The outcome of the May consultations will inform the General Assembly’s consideration of further measures, including the possible negotiation of an international treaty on LAWS by 2026. The UN, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and civil society, continues to emphasize the need for urgent action as technological advances outpace current regulatory frameworks.
[Read More: UK Introduces AI-Powered StormShroud Drone to Enhance RAF Capabilities]
Source: United Nations Press Release, Reaching Critical Will, Reuters
