The Organizers
University of Nairobi Law School, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Nairobi, Kenya, University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR University), Brazil, JSS Law College, Autonomous, Mysore, India and Institute of Legal and Policy Research (ILPR).
About the Webinar
The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations raises significant humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding the ethical, legal, and social implications of its deployment in armed conflict.
The competition among superpowers and middle-sized nations for AI utilization has intensified, raising concerns about responsibility and adherence to existing legal frameworks. The advent of autonomous weapons systems (AWS), often referred to as “killer robots,” presents particular challenges to international humanitarian law (IHL), especially regarding the distinction between civilians and combatants, the prohibition of unnecessary suffering, and the principle of proportionality.
The inherent unpredictability of AWS and their potential incapacity to discern nuances in complex battle scenarios create a “responsibility gap,” complicating the identification of consequences for illegal actions when decisions are made autonomously.
The growing dependence on AI technologies necessitates a robust legal framework that addresses the challenges associated with their application in military contexts. The International Committee of the Red Cross has called for an outright ban on autonomous weapons capable of directly targeting individuals and those who behave erratically.
Algorithmic bias in AI systems represents one of the most significant obstacles to integrating AI into military decision-making processes. AI systems may perpetuate existing prejudices when trained on historical data, potentially leading to unjust outcomes in military operations. This could contravene IHL’s prohibition against unfair discrimination based on race, religion, or national origin.
States must take action to ensure that AI technologies are developed and applied in a manner that minimizes these biases. The issue of state responsibility also arises in the context of AI and military applications. States may be held accountable for wrongdoing committed by AI systems under the Articles on State Responsibility for Internationally Wrongful Acts (ARSIWA).
To maintain compliance with international law, states’ responsibilities regarding the development, procurement, and application of military AI technologies must be clearly defined. The militarization of AI significantly affects the conduct of armed conflict and global security. A moral strategy that prioritizes adherence to international humanitarian law is crucial as governments continue to develop and implement advanced AI technologies. This strategy should include establishing robust governance frameworks that ensure accountability, transparency, and minimal harm to civilians.
Therefore, the international community must collaborate to address the ethical and legal challenges posed by the use of AI in warfare. Through cooperation, we can ensure that AI in combat aligns with the fundamental values of humanity and the rule of law, protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals affected by armed conflict.
About the Call for Papers
This webinar invites submissions from law professors, IHL specialists, judges, ICRC staff, lawyers, military advisors, and legal scholars.
Themes and Sub-themes
This International Webinar serves as an essential forum for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and work together to develop solutions that maintain the integrity of international humanitarian law (IHL) in the era of artificial intelligence. The key themes of the conference include:
- Exploring how AI technologies are reshaping military strategies and operational capabilities, along with their implications for compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
- Addressing the challenges of attributing responsibility for wrongful acts committed by autonomous systems and the implications for state accountability under international law.
- Analyzing the compatibility of Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) with existing IHL principles, particularly the requirements for distinction and proportionality.
- Investigating how biases in AI systems can lead to violations of humanitarian principles and exacerbate existing inequalities in armed conflict.
- Discussing the moral implications of using AI in warfare, including the potential dehumanization of conflict and the ethical responsibilities of states in deploying these technologies.
- Examining the role of international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in promoting the responsible development and use of military AI and advocating for new global standards.
- Presenting real-world examples of AI deployment in military contexts, assessing their compliance with IHL and the observed humanitarian consequences.
- Outlining potential pathways for legal reform and policy development to address the evolving challenges posed by AI in armed conflict, ensuring the protection of civilians and adherence to humanitarian principles.
Submission Guidelines
The selected paper will be published in The Eastern Africa Journal on International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Contributors/authors are encouraged to read the Journal’s Editorial Guidelines for Contributors before submitting their work. For more information, please visit https://eajihl.org/
Formatting Guidelines
- Format: Manuscript files must be submitted electronically in either .doc or .docx format. Files should not be protected or locked.
- Length: Manuscripts should be between 4,000 and 10,000 words, including the abstract, figures, and footnotes. This limit excludes references.
- Manuscript Organization: Manuscripts should be organized as follows:
- Begin with a title. In the title, prepositions of three letters or fewer (e.g., “at,” “by,” “for,” and “in”) should not be capitalized. Only capitalize prepositions with four or more letters, such as “about,” “beneath,” and “excluding.”
- Author(s) should be listed, with affiliations footnoted on the first page. Co-authorship is permitted for a maximum of two persons.
- Include a brief abstract of 150 to 250 words. The abstract must not contain citations.
- Introduction
- Discussion: Ensure that the works of others are properly cited in both the footnotes and reference sections.
- Conclusion: There should be no citations within the conclusion.
- The reference list should begin on a separate page at the end.
- Font and Font Size: Manuscripts should be submitted in Times New Roman, font size 12, except for footnotes, which should be in font size 10.
- Margins: Use 1” margins on the left, right, top, and bottom.
- Layout: Manuscripts should be justified with 1.5 line spacing for the main text and single spacing for footnotes.
- Headings and Numbering: Limit headings to a maximum of three levels. Use conventional numbering and avoid bulleted lists.
- Page Numbers: Page numbers should not be included.
- References: Referencing must follow OSCOLA 4th edition guidelines.
- Ensure all footnotes end with a full stop.
- In footnotes, the author’s first name should precede their surname. In the reference list, the surname should come first, followed by the initial of the first name.
- Arrange the reference list alphabetically by the author’s surname.
- Abbreviations: Define abbreviations upon their first appearance in the text and minimize their use.
- Headers and Footers: Do not insert any headers or footers.
- Language: All submissions must be in English.
- Author’s Revision: Manuscripts must be carefully revised before submission to correct grammatical and typographical errors.
- Plagiarism: Plagiarism, including duplicate submissions in whole or in part without proper citation, is not tolerated. All manuscripts will be checked using anti-plagiarism software. If plagiarism is detected at any stage, the author will be notified, and depending on the plagiarism percentage, the author may be required to revise their submission or the manuscript may be rejected entirely. Authors must submit a statement confirming that the material is not under consideration elsewhere and has not been published or is pending publication elsewhere.
- Editorial Rights: The Editor reserves the right to edit submitted articles.
How to Register?
Register and submit your work through the link given below this post.
Important Dates
- Date: 21 & 22 December 2024, Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
- The Last Date of Submission and Registration is 10th December 2024.
- The decision on the selection of the paper will be intimated on or before 15th December 2024.
Contact Information
For any queries, please contact at info@ilpraf.org & instituteoflegalandpolicy@gmail.com.
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