| This is the first blog post in a series looking at an array of issues in 2023 related to weapons use, the arms trade and security assistance, often offering recommendations. |  Wanda Muñoz Jaime |
(See full brief in English, Español) Discussions on autonomous weapons systems (AWS) are at a complex juncture: while autonomy in weaponry continues increasing rapidly, the CCW demonstrates its inability to launch negotiations on a legally binding instrument at every single one of its meetings. Heavily militarized countries and some of their allies maintain, once and again, that the CCW is the “only appropriate forum” for addressing this issue. Yet, to anyone who has been following the debates objectively for any length of time, it is quite obvious that it will be impossible for negotiations on a legally binding instrument to be launched there in the foreseeable future.
In 2023, we may or may not see the launch of negotiations in another forum, depending, among other factors, on the political will of those countries that have been traditionally committed to disarmament. But what is certain is that discussions are already out of the CCW. More stakeholders are getting involved and raising their voices to reject autonomous weapons, and this trend will only intensify next year. Here are some reasons why:
It is also essential to ask whether the CCW is worth our tax-payer money given the lack of results.
Read more in this 6-page brief (English, Español)
Wanda Muñoz Jaime represents SEHLAC in México and is a member of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots and the Feminist AI Research Network. She is an expert at the Global Partnership of Artificial Intelligence, nominated by Mexico.
Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list and the publication of these posts does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. The opinions expressed are the views of each post's author(s).
In 2023, we may or may not see the launch of negotiations in another forum, depending, among other factors, on the political will of those countries that have been traditionally committed to disarmament. But what is certain is that discussions are already out of the CCW. More stakeholders are getting involved and raising their voices to reject autonomous weapons, and this trend will only intensify next year. Here are some reasons why:
- Every time the CCW addresses the issue of AWS it demonstrates that it is not fit for purpose.
- Stakeholders of other international forums are already raising awareness on the concerns raised by AWS.
- The threats of autonomy in weapons systems are increasingly clear.
- Stakeholders will keep calling out the lack of coherence demonstrated by States that aim to lead international discussions on the ethics of artificial intelligence while stalling progress towards negotiations on legally binding instruments on autonomous weapons at the CCW.
It is also essential to ask whether the CCW is worth our tax-payer money given the lack of results.
Read more in this 6-page brief (English, Español)
Wanda Muñoz Jaime represents SEHLAC in México and is a member of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots and the Feminist AI Research Network. She is an expert at the Global Partnership of Artificial Intelligence, nominated by Mexico.
Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list and the publication of these posts does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. The opinions expressed are the views of each post's author(s).
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