Warfare: Centre canvasses regulations on AI, autonomous weapons to minimise risks to civilians
The Centre for Civilians in Conflict has called for clear guidelines and regulations on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous weapons in modern warfare to minimise the risk of harm to civilians.
The Centre’s Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East, Mr Vianney Bisimwa, made the call in Kaduna at the opening of a three-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in partnership with the centre.
The theme of the workshop was: ‘Artificial Intelligence Autonomous Weapons and Protection of Civilians in Modern Warfare’.
Bisimwa, represented by Saratu Joshua, the Country Programme Coordinator of the centre, noted that the face of warfare had undergone significant transformation due to emerging technologies.
He said Al and autonomous weapons had revolutionised the way militaries operate because of the unparalleled advantages they offer in identifying enemies, tracking targets, and executing military operations with precision.
“The benefits of Al and autonomous weapons are undeniable. These technologies enable militaries to enhance precision, increase efficiency, and improve safety.
“Al-powered systems can analyse vast
amounts of data, identify patterns, and make decisions faster and more accurately than humans.
“Autonomous systems can operate around the clock, reducing the need for human intervention and minimising the risk of fatigue-related errors,” he said .
By removing humans from harm’s way, Bisimwa said autonomous systems could reduce the risk of casualties and improve overall safety.
He added that in Nigeria, the military had successfully utilised Al and autonomous weapons in various operations.
“The Nigerian Air Force has employed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions, providing critical intelligence to ground troops.
“Globally, Al and autonomous weapons have been used in various military operations, including counter-terrorism operations and defence against rocket attacks,” Bisimwa said.
He, however, said in spite of the advantages, concerns surrounding the use of Al and autonomous weapons have persisted, which include the fear of misapplication or inappropriate targeting by users.
The Regional Director also said there was lack of transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of the technologies, thereby raising ethical concerns.
Bisimwa noted that in some instances, civilian lives had been threatened or lost due to misapplication or inappropriate targeting by users.
To address the concerns, he emphasised that it is essential to establish clear guidelines and regulations governing the use of Al and autonomous weapons.
He said there should be clear standards for the development, testing and deployment of autonomous systems, and clear protocols for human oversight and
intervention.
Bisimwa therefore called for transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of Al
and autonomous weapons.
“As we move forward, it is crucial that we prioritise the development of clear guidelines and regulations governing the use of Al and autonomous weapons.
“By working together, we can ensure that
these technologies are used responsibly and in ways that minimise the risk of harm to civilians.
“We owe it to ourselves, our nations, and the global community to ensure that the benefits of Al and autonomous
weapons are realised while minimising the risks.
“The use of Al and autonomous weapons in modern warfare offers significant advantages, but also raises critical concerns.
“As we navigate this complex and rapidly evolving landscape, let us remain committed to responsible innovation, transparency, and accountability,” he said.
Earlier, the Commandant of the NDA, Major General John Ochai, said AI and autonomous weapons have come to stay and are part of future weapons and transformation in military affairs.
He said the Nigerian Armed Forces needed to step up its game and be ahead of every adversary.
According to him, the NDA organised the workshop in partnership with the centre to educate cadets on the emerging technologies as future leaders of the Nigerian military.
Ochai added that this would enable the cadets to use the technologies positively fot the security and defence of Nigeria.
He agreed to the need to use AI and autonomous weapons responsibly without harm to civilians.
The Commandant emphasised that the weapons were made to serve humanity and not the opposite.
“We can’t pass the buck to AI, that is a human responsibility.
“There is no doubt that these technologies will only enhance our capability and will never transfer responsibility to non human intelligence,” Ochai said.
In his paper on ‘Civilian Protection in Modern Warfare: Challenges and Opportunities With AI-Based Autonomous Weapons Systems’, Col. Abubakar Imam, the Head of Mechatronics Department at NDA, dissected ways to tackle operational challenges, and the morality in operating the technologies for precision targeting and surgical strikes to avoid civilian casualties.