Artificial intelligence within the navy area

There isn’t any universally agreed definition of synthetic intelligence (AI), however broadly talking, it pertains to methods designed and educated with the flexibility to be taught, remedy issues, make predictions, take choices and carry out duties which can be thought of to require a degree of intelligence comparable to that of a human.

AI can be utilized in each the civilian and navy domains. Military and safety purposes of AI are broad and far-reaching, together with for weapon-related capabilities. Applications vary from resolution help methods for navy operations to methods that help maritime safety by means of counter-piracy efforts, counter-terrorism operations, and border safety.

While the General Assembly has adopted a number of resolutions associated to the peaceable makes use of of AI, it solely started contemplating the topic of AI within the navy area at its seventy-ninth session 2024. Previously, such discussions had taken place in a number of plurilateral teams outdoors the UN.

Artificial intelligence within the navy area within the General Assembly

On 24 December 2024, on the advice of the First Committee, the General Assembly adopted resolution 79/239 entitled “Artificial intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security” – its first-ever decision on this subject.

In the decision, the General Assembly, inter alia, affirms the applicability of worldwide regulation all through all phases of the lifecycle of AI and encourages States to handle the alternatives and challenges associated to AI within the navy area. It additionally resolves to bridge divides between nations with regard to accountable AI within the navy area.

Pursuant to a mandate contained within the decision, the Secretary-General submitted a substantive report (A/80/78) on the alternatives and challenges posed to worldwide peace and safety by the applying of AI within the navy area, with particular concentrate on areas apart from deadly autonomous weapons methods. The report comprises an annex with the views of Member States upon which the report was based mostly, in addition to the views of worldwide and regional organizations, the International Committee of the pink Cross, civil society, the scientific group and business. All submissions, together with these acquired after the deadline, are additionally accessible within the Documents Library.

AI and autonomy are additionally mentioned within the annual report of the Secretary-General on present developments in science and know-how and their potential influence on worldwide safety and disarmament efforts