China refuses to back a blueprint for AI use in the military

A total of 60 including the US on Tuesday signed a “blueprint for action” on AI use in the military, which will serve as a guide to responsible use of the AI tech on the battlefield. However, China was one of the countries that did not back the document and opted out.

The document, which was tabled at the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) summit in Seoul, South Korea, looks at the risk assessments that should be done with regard use of AI in the military, as well as the importance of human control and oversight.

China and about 30 others were unimpressed

China was among the nearly 30 other countries that opted out of the declaration, a non-binding agreement. The agreement has come at a time when China has repeatedly refused to rule out the AI control of nuclear weapons.

Co-hosted by Kenya, the UK, Netherlands, and Singapore, this was the second edition of the summit. During the first summit held last year in The Hague, about 100 countries were in agreement on a modest call to action.

However, during the second summit, the number of signatories dropped from 100 to 60, with China among those that backed out of the declaration.

According to the declaration which China refused to join, all applications of AI in the military must be “ethical and human-centric.” The document also details the need to stop the manipulation and proliferation of AI technology to propagate weapons of mass destruction by entities including terrorist groups.

“Appropriate human involvement needs to be maintained in the development, deployment, and use of AI in the military domain, including appropriate measures that relate to human judgment and control over the use of force,” reads part of the blueprint.

Ook in het militaire domein wordt AI steeds belangrijker.

Er zijn echter nog geen uitgangspunten en afspraken. Dit is wel nodig om AI verantwoord in te zetten. En om landen aan te spreken die regels overtreden.

Bij de REAIM-top in Seoul zetten we goede stappen met 60+ landen. pic.twitter.com/0fHhVc1xDh

— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) September 10, 2024

The differences in opinions pose a dilemma to the declaration

According to a Reuters article, the declaration admitted there was a long way for countries to keep pace with the development of AI in the military arena emphasizing the “need to engage in further discussions…for clear policies and procedures.”

Dutch Defense Minister Reuben Brekelmans said this year’s summit was about “getting more towards action.”

“We are making further concrete steps,” he said.

“Last year, was more about creating shared understanding, now we are getting more towards action.”

Brekelmans.

The updated version of the document added issues around prevention of the abuse of AI for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which ranked among the critical issues. The US also emphasized on responsible deployment of the AI tech.

But countries like China showed a stark difference in opinions with other stakeholders, prompting them to back down on the declaration.

Commenting on this move by China and the other countries, Brekelmans said:

“We also need to be realistic that we will never have the whole world on board.”

“How do we deal with the fact that not everyone is complying? … That is a complicated dilemma that we should also put on the table.”

Brekelmans.

The Defense Minister also took to the X platform and emphasized on responsible use of AI.

According to Reuters, while the next summit’s venue and timing are yet to be finalized and still under discussion, South Korean officials have indicated plans to raise discussions about AI in the military domain at the October UN General Assembly.