In 2022 the House of Lords established a Committee to consider the use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems. Focusing on the challenges, risks and benefits of Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS), the safeguards that are needed for accountably, and the current UK policy. The final report was released in December 2023 and was debated in the House of Lords today.
The report, ‘Proceed with caution: Artificial intelligence in weapon systems’, made 36 recommendations including:
- The government should lead by example in international engagement on regulation of AWS. Outcomes from international debate on the regulation of AWS could be a legally binding treaty or non-binding measures clarifying the application of international humanitarian law. A key element of international engagement will also include leading on efforts to prohibit the use of AI in nuclear command, control and communications.
- The government should adopt an operational definition of AWS. The committee was surprised the government does not currently have one and believes it is possible to create a future-proofed definition which would aid the UK’s ability to make meaningful policy on AWS and engage fully in international discussions.
- The government should ensure human control at all stages of an AWS’s lifecycle. It is essential to have human control over the deployment of the system both to ensure human moral agency and legal compliance. This must be buttressed by our absolute national commitment to the requirements of international humanitarian law.
- The government should ensure that its procurement processes are appropriately designed for the world of AI. The committee heard that the Ministry of Defence’s procurement suffers from a lack of accountability and is overly bureaucratic. It further heard that the Ministry of Defence lacks capability in relation to software and data, both of which are central to the development of AI. This may require revolutionary change. The committee warns, “if so, so be it; but time is short”.
In today’s debate the government committed to meaningful human control, responsibility and accountability in AWS. The minister also went on to pledge that the UK would “champion a set of norms and standards for responsible military AI” rooted in international humanitarian law.
You can find a full transcript of the debate on Hansard.
