[Short course] International law and the governance of military AI
This innovative two-day capacity-building course will provide you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities posed by the use of military artificial intelligence (AI). The course will create a common basis of knowledge around key features of these technologies, and the various regimes of international law, particularly international humanitarian law and accountability frameworks, that are relevant to their governance.
Advances in artificial intelligence are revolutionising warfare with significant promise for military operations. However, military applications of AI also raise substantial risks, particularly in terms of compliance with international law.
Numerous governance initiatives have emerged over the past years to address the risks presented by military AI, and to ensure the responsible and lawful use of AI in military operations. Through these efforts, states are trying to establish what prohibitions, limits, and requirements should guide the responsible and lawful use of military AI.
However, a lack of an informed and common understanding of these technologies and the precise application of international law frameworks presents a major hurdle to advancing effective governance.
In collaboration with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), we are organising a two-day capacity-building course. This short course is specifically designed to bridge the existing knowledge gaps in the legal and policy community, fostering interdisciplinary debates, constructive and expert-level exchanges and substantially contributing to governance initiatives surrounding military AI.
This short course provides insights and a nuanced understanding of:
- Developments and uses in the field of military AI, including Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) and AI-Decision Support Systems (DSS)
- AI-related concepts —such as predictability, explainability, and traceability —that are crucial for policymakers and experts to advance regulatory debates;
- The different regimes of international law that play a role in the governance of AI-driven military technologies with a special focus on:
- international humanitarian law (IHL);
- state responsibility for IHL violations and individual criminal responsibility for war crimes;
- The role of ethics in the debates surrounding military AI and its governance;
- Multilateral policy processes on AWS and military AI, policy directions, and possible outcomes.
Who should attend?
This short course attracts a unique and strategically important interdisciplinary cohort. It is designed for professionals working in the field of military AI, including diplomats, legal advisors, military and defence personnel, private sector actors, academics, civil society organisations, (international) courts, and international organizations. The course is, however, open to anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of the complex and cross-cutting issues raised by military AI.
Dates
21-22 May 2026
Interested?
Pre-register now to be the first to know when registrations open!
Contact
For more information or questions, please contact educationtraining@asser.nl and/or, particularly for content-related questions, Dr Marta Bo m.bo@asser.nl