THE POLITICAL DECLARATION ON RESPONSIBLE MILITARY USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUTONOMY
On November 1, Vice President Harris announced that 32 states had endorsed the Political Declaration on the Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, developed by the United States. The declaration, unveiled in February 2023, provides non-legally binding guidelines for the responsible use of AI in defense, emphasizing auditability, explicit uses, rigorous testing, and senior-level review. It does not alter existing legal obligations but aims to build international norms for responsible behavior in military AI use. The endorsing states commit to implementing these measures, making their commitment public, supporting related efforts, and engaging in continued discussions to promote responsible military AI practices. The declaration is considered a starting point, with a plan for regular dialogues among endorsing states to further international support and implementation of responsible practices. The authors, Shawn Steene and Chris Jenks, provide background and commentary on the declaration, emphasizing the need for ongoing discussion and improvement in the responsible development and use of military AI capabilities.