December 13
United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
The Sixth Review Conference opened at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
Led by Chinese Disarmament Ambassador Li Song
The Chinese delegation attended the Review Conference
Chinese Disarmament Ambassador Li Song submitted China's "Position Paper on Regulating the Military Application of Artificial Intelligence" at the conference, calling on all countries to seek consensus on how to regulate the military application of artificial intelligence through dialogue and cooperation, build an effective international governance mechanism with universal participation, and avoid the major damage caused by the military application of artificial intelligence to mankind.
Speaking at the conference, Li Song said that the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons plays an irreplaceable role in solving humanitarian problems caused by the abuse of conventional weapons, and at the same time provides an important discussion platform for regulating the military application of emerging technologies. On the other hand, with the rapid development of military applications of emerging technologies, the Convention is facing new issues and challenges. The rapid development of disruptive technologies represented by artificial intelligence, big data, quantum computing, etc., and widely used in the military field, may completely change the future form of war, bring potential challenges to international security, and may trigger humanitarian crises.
Li Song focused on the relevant considerations and main contents of China's position paper. He stressed that while artificial intelligence triggers huge changes, there is a double uncertainty of the potential impact of technology and society. The military application of artificial intelligence will also have a complex and far-reaching impact on strategic security, governance rules, ethics and morality, etc., and we must attach great importance to the risks and challenges that such technologies may bring, strengthen forward-looking responses, and formulate unified and effective security rules in a timely manner. In order to coordinate the relationship between development and governance and ensure the safe, reliable and controllable development of artificial intelligence, China has put forward a position paper based on the results of many years of discussions on the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the beneficial practices of various countries.
The document focuses on the research and development, deployment, use and other important links involved in the military application of artificial intelligence, and proposes solutions on how to responsibly develop and utilize artificial intelligence technology in the military field:
First, all countries should exercise restraint in the development of artificial intelligence weapon systems, the military application of artificial intelligence should not become a tool for launching wars and seeking hegemony, and oppose the use of artificial intelligence technology to seek absolute military superiority and damage the sovereignty and territorial security of other countries.
Second, adhere to the principle of people-oriented, intelligent and good, ensure that the military application of artificial intelligence is in line with international humanitarian law, and avoid indiscriminate killing and misuse of related weapon systems.
Third, it is necessary to continuously improve the safety, reliability and controllability of artificial intelligence technology, enhance the ability of artificial intelligence security assessment and control, and ensure that artificial intelligence weapons are always under human control.
Fourth, it is necessary to strengthen supervision of military applications of artificial intelligence and reduce the risk of proliferation.
Fifth, we must adhere to the principles of multilateralism, openness and inclusiveness, jointly explore solutions to the problem of military application of artificial intelligence, establish an international mechanism for universal participation, and form an artificial intelligence governance framework and standard norms with broad consensus.
Strengthen international cooperation to help developing countries improve their governance and ensure that all countries fully enjoy their right to technological development and peaceful use.
In his speech, Li Song also introduced China's full participation in various issues under the framework of the Convention, especially its commitment to international humanitarian demining assistance and cooperation.
During the five-day meeting, States parties will comprehensively review the implementation of the Convention over the past five years, while discussing emerging issues within the framework of the Convention and exploring relevant initiatives.
The full name of the CCW is the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects. The Treaty was opened for signature in 1981 and entered into force in December 1983. China signed the treaty in 1981. There are currently 125 States parties.
Source: CCTV military WeChat public account