PH at military AI summit: Peace, security requires more control, humanity

The Philippines has “strongly called” for strengthening international rules and human control over artificial intelligence to ensure its responsible use for peace, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.

At the first Responsible Use of AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in The Hague, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta said an AI arms race would “only leave more behind.”

“Human beings must at all times exert control and judgment over weapons systems to ensure compliance with international and humanitarian law and accountability for the use of force,” Sorreta said.

“An AI arms race will only leave more behind. AI is not only a tool for self-defense and security. It must also become a force for more equitable sustainable development,” he added.

Sorreta said peace and security required “more, not less, responsible human control. More, not less, humanity.”

At the ministerial roundtable discussion, Sorreta cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly, where Marcos identified emerging technologies, such as AI, as among the most pressing global challenges.

He said that the Philippines was among a group of countries at the United Nations pushing for a legally binding instrument that would prohibit lethal autonomous weapons systems that can be used to conduct attacks outside the control of humans.

Conference participants agreed to continue the conversation on establishing rules and institutions to govern the responsible use of AI.

The 2nd REAIM meeting will be in the Republic of Korea in 2024. 

With Sorreta at the conference were Ambassador to The Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya and officials from the DFA and the embassy in The Hague.

The Netherlands and the Republic of Korea co-hosted REAIM Summit which was attended by over 2,000 delegates from 80 countries.

The multi-stakeholder conference included high-level representatives from governments, armed forces, academe, the private sector, and civil society.

Delegates discussed for two days in plenary and breakout sessions the risks and opportunities of the increasing use of AI in the military. —NB, GMA Integrated News