Guests from 142 countries

Conference on autonomous weapons systems in Vienna

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) opened an international conference on the regulation of autonomous weapon systems (AWS) in Vienna on Monday. "The technology is developing at breakneck speed, politics is lagging behind", he said at the start of the event in the Hofburg. There is a "small window" for action, said Schallenberg: "We must not let the moment pass." A good 900 people from 142 countries are taking part in the conference.

Representatives from international organizations and civil society are also present. They are exchanging views under the title "Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation". The aim of the conference is to take a step towards the global regulation of AWS. Schallenberg appealed to the participants: "We need all of you." Autonomous weapons systems would soon be deployed on battlefields. This would give rise to numerous ethical and legal issues.

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP)(Bild: APA/BMEIA/MICHAEL GRUBER)

The most important thing is that the decision on life and death lies with humans and not with machines. "Now is the time to ensure human control with international rules," said Schallenberg. In the current military conflicts, it is difficult to take a step back. However, this is precisely what the Vienna conference, which runs until Tuesday, is there for, for a "strategic view".

Austria in favor of restrictions
Austria has long been working towards restrictions on autonomous weapons systems. In 2023, a resolution was introduced to the UN General Assembly, which was adopted by a large majority. However, little has happened since then. AWS could act autonomously using artificial intelligence (AI).

The goals of the Vienna meeting are also in line with those of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "We see in the contribution of artificial intelligence the potential for humans to lose control over the use of force," said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger before the opening. From the perspective of international humanitarian law, this is "very challenging, not to say problematic". We know "that today's armies, especially those of the larger states, are investing a great deal in this artificial intelligence, i.e. support for weapons systems", said Spoljaric Egger.

"This conference today in Vienna is an important step towards an agreement between the states," continued the ICRC President. Of course, the event is not an official negotiating platform and it could "take a long time" to reach a result. In the end, however, it was not absolutely necessary for all states to sign a regulation. Spoljaric Egger: "We are calling for certain bans, but also for the regulation of all areas in which weapons are used in conjunction with artificial intelligence."