Key Points:
- Only 35 out of 85 attending nations signed the declaration.
- The U.S. and China declined to endorse the new rules.
- The agreement demands human control over AI weapons systems.
- Major signers included Ukraine, France, Germany, and the UK.
Global efforts to control the use of artificial intelligence in warfare hit a stumbling block on Thursday. During a major summit in Spain, roughly one-third of the attending countries agreed to a new set of rules for deploying AI on the battlefield. However, the world’s biggest military powers, the United States and China, refused to sign the document.
The summit, known as REAIM (Responsible AI in the Military Domain), hosted delegates from 85 nations. Despite the large turnout, only 35 countries committed to the pledge. Attendees suggested that political tension is high. Many nations are unsure how the relationship between the U.S. and Europe will change in the coming months, making them hesitant to sign binding agreements right now.
The declaration aims to prevent AI from spiraling out of control. It states that humans must remain responsible for AI-powered weapons and that armies must maintain clear chains of command. The document also calls for strict risk assessments and better training for soldiers who use these high-tech tools.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans described the situation as a “prisoner’s dilemma.” Governments are trapped between two fears. They want to set responsible safety limits, but they also don’t want to tie their own hands while adversaries race ahead. “Russia and China are moving very fast,” Brekelmans noted. He argued that while armies need to develop AI quickly, they must also urgently figure out how to use it safely.
This outcome is weaker than previous summits. At past meetings in The Hague and Seoul, around 60 nations endorsed a plan for action, including the United States. However, those earlier plans were less specific. Yasmin Afina, a researcher who advised on the process, explained that while this new document is not legally binding, its specific policy demands made some countries uncomfortable.
Despite the hesitation from the superpowers, several key nations did sign the pledge. The list of supporters includes Canada, Germany, France, Britain, the Netherlands, and South Korea. Ukraine, which is currently fighting a war involving advanced drone technology, also signed the agreement.
