2024-07-04 13:42:54
“An international instrument regulating the use of autonomous weapons systems is more necessary than ever,” said Mr. Farhane, who presented the Kingdom’s Declaration at an international conference titled “Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation.”
Morocco, he added, “reiterates its commitment to constructively support the regulation of the use of autonomous weapons systems, in accordance with the principles set out in the relevant international instruments and in compliance with the ethical and moral implications of these emerging technologies.”
In the diplomat’s view, it is imperative to recognize that the serious threat posed by autonomous weapons systems must be placed at the heart of public and political debates.
“Such an effort requires careful reflection on the ethical, political and social implications of these advanced technologies, through inclusive multilateral action, strong partnership with all stakeholders and respect for international humanitarian law,” he added, noting that “humanity today finds itself at a crossroads with regard to autonomous weapons and the challenge of regulation.”
In this dynamic, Morocco reiterated its adherence to the Political Declaration, adopted in November 2023 in The Hague, on the responsible military use of artificial intelligence and autonomy, which provides a normative framework for the use of these capabilities in the military domain and aims to create an international consensus around responsible behavior and to guide the development, deployment and use of military artificial intelligence by States.
Advocating for a comprehensive approach based on contributions from different parties, the diplomat highlighted the relevance of the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as the current efforts of the Geneva Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Field of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, established within the framework of the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons.
“Ongoing international efforts highlight the urgency of addressing the risks associated with these emerging technologies,” he said, adding that “Morocco believes that engaging in a productive discussion on all relevant aspects related to autonomous weapons systems, within multilateral forums, is essential to establish a comprehensive and consensual international instrument that duly takes into consideration humanitarian and ethical concerns, and contributes to further strengthening our collective peace and security.”
As part of the process of developing a specific international instrument, Morocco suggested collaboration between governments, international organizations, industry leaders and all stakeholders to develop legal frameworks governing the use of autonomous weapons.
It is also, according to Mr. Farhane, the need to exploit the synergy and complementarity between the different initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence in order to avoid duplication and promote efficiency.
Furthermore, the growing risk of proliferation of autonomous weapons to non-state actors, particularly armed groups and terrorist groups, should be carefully assessed, in order to prevent these groups from having ecosystems that allow them to develop operational systems based on artificial intelligence, the diplomat said.
In the same vein, Mr. Farhane stressed the imperative of strengthening and supporting capacity building programs, within the framework of transparent international cooperation “in order to improve the understanding of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons, as well as their responsible use.”
The diplomat also considered it necessary to find a subtle balance between “the legitimate need for defense, respect for international humanitarian law and the desire for innovation and progress.”
In this regard, States should assume their responsibility to ensure that autonomous weapons systems are not used without human control, he said.
Organised on 29 and 30 April at the initiative of Austria, the international conference saw the participation of several experts, diplomats and representatives of international organisations in several sessions focusing on the various challenges to be addressed in the framework of international efforts to regulate autonomous weapons systems.
2024-07-04 13:42:54