Blueprint for Employing AI in the

Military Focus of South Korea Summit

South Korea Hosts International Summit on Military AI Use

South Korea called an international summit on Monday to develop guidelines for the responsible military use of artificial intelligence (AI). However, any agreement from the meeting is unlikely to carry legal authority. This two-day summit in Seoul marks the second event of its kind. Government delegates from over 90 countries, including China and the United States, attended.

Past Efforts and the Call to Action

At the first summit held in The Hague last year, the U.S., China, and other nations supported a modest “call to action.” Yet, they avoided making any legal commitments. South Korea’s Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun highlighted the role of AI in recent conflicts. “In the recent Russia-Ukraine war, an AI-applied Ukrainian drone served as David’s slingshot,” he said. He referred to Ukraine’s use of AI-enabled drones to counter Russian electronic warfare and operate in larger formations.

Dual Nature of Military AI

Kim also noted that AI greatly enhances military operational capabilities. However, he warned that misuse could have serious consequences, comparing AI to a double-edged sword. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul added that discussions will cover legal assessments to ensure compliance with international law. They will also explore safeguards to prevent autonomous weapons from making life-or-death decisions without proper human oversight.

Goals of the Seoul Summit

A senior South Korean official explained that the summit aims to create a blueprint establishing minimum safeguards for AI use in the military. The plan will reflect principles from NATO, the U.S., and other countries. This blueprint intends to be a more comprehensive attempt at restricting military AI use, but will probably lack legal binding. On Tuesday, only a limited number of participating states are expected to endorse it.

Broader International Discussions on Military AI

The Seoul summit is not the only forum discussing military AI. The United Nations’ Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), dating back to 1983, is reviewing possible limits on lethal autonomous weapons to ensure they comply with international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, the U.S. launched a declaration last year advocating the responsible use of military AI beyond just weapons. So far, 55 countries have endorsed this declaration.

Multi-Stakeholder Approach to AI Governance

Co-hosted by the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, the Seoul summit seeks to sustain multi-stakeholder dialogue. Though technological innovation is mainly driven by the private sector, governments remain key decision-makers. Nearly 2,000 participants registered for the summit. They include representatives from international organisations, academia, and private companies. Key topics include civilian protection and AI’s role in controlling nuclear weapons.

South Korea military AI summit 2025