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As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes global security and defense systems, engaging the tech community is not simply optional — it’s essential, according to Gosia Loy, Co-Deputy Head of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). Speaking at the recent Global Conference on AI Security and Ethics, hosted in Geneva by UNIDIR, Loy emphasized the urgent need for collaborative frameworks to guide the safe and ethical development of emerging AI technologies.
“This isn’t a side issue — it’s a foundational requirement,” said Loy. Referring to AI’s current trajectory as its “Oppenheimer moment” — a nod to the nuclear physicist behind the atomic bomb — she underscored the parallels between the unchecked growth of AI and the dawn of nuclear weapons. She warned that without proper oversight, AI could pose profound risks, particularly when applied to military and weapons systems.
The Risks of Dual-Use Technologies
Arnaud Valli, Head of Public Affairs at Comand AI, highlighted the dangers posed by AI’s dual-use potential — its application in both civilian and military settings. He noted that many AI developers lack firsthand experience with combat environments, risking the creation of systems ill-suited for such high-stakes use. These systems, he said, could ultimately make autonomous decisions on the battlefield — decisions that could cost human lives.
“There is growing concern about removing humans from critical decision-making,” added David Sully, CEO of AI firm Advai. “These systems still fail frequently and lack robustness — they’re easier to break than many assume.”
Corporate Responsibility and Cooperation
Michael Karimian, Microsoft’s Director of Digital Diplomacy, stressed the importance of embedding core values — including fairness, accountability, safety, and security — into AI development. He noted that Microsoft restricts the real-time use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement to prevent harm.
Karimian emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers between companies and institutions to foster responsible innovation. “No one organization can do this alone,” he said. “There’s a shared responsibility.”
Regulatory Challenges and Lagging Oversight
Sulyna Nur Abdullah, strategic planning lead at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), warned that the rapid evolution of AI is outpacing global governance structures. “We’re facing an oversight paradox,” she said. “Regulation lags behind innovation, but that only underscores the need for ongoing dialogue between policymakers and technical experts.”
She also stressed that developing countries must be involved in shaping AI governance frameworks — ensuring inclusivity in global discussions.
Maintaining Human Judgement
Longstanding concerns about AI-powered weapons were echoed by UN Human Rights Office expert Peggy Hicks, who reiterated earlier warnings by human rights advocate Christof Heyns. “Removing humans from the loop risks removing humanity itself,” said Hicks, emphasizing that only humans should make life-and-death decisions.
AI Ethics vs. Profit Motives
Despite broad consensus on AI ethical principles within the tech community, commercial interests can complicate implementation. “Yes, we aim for profitability,” admitted Comand AI’s Valli. “But in this field, the stakes are extraordinarily high — you’re dealing with potentially enormous consequences.”
Unresolved Questions and Technical Complexities
While developers strive to design AI that is secure, fair, and robust, it’s unclear how to effectively implement these goals. “There’s no real roadmap for bringing these principles into practice,” said Sully. “Even defining what ‘robustness’ means for an AI system is technically complex and still unresolved.”
Unlike nuclear weapons, which can be forensically traced, AI-guided systems leave no such identifying signature. This lack of traceability presents a major enforcement challenge for international regulation.
“Policing AI weapons globally is a practical problem no one seems eager to confront,” Sully warned.
Preparing Future Generations
Panelists agreed that future developers must be equipped with a strong ethical foundation. Mozilla’s Elias emphasized the importance of cultivating responsibility among the next generation of technologists. Dr. Moses B. Khanyile from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, added that academia must take an active role in promoting ethical standards.
“Universities carry a supreme responsibility,” said Khanyile. “AI should be seen as a tool for good — and both governments and the military must become forces for good in guiding its use.”
Global Collaboration: A Shared Task
Diplomats from around the world echoed the need for cross-border cooperation. Shen Jian, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative for Disarmament, called for clear national security guidelines around the export of hi-tech technologies.
Robert in den Bosch, the Netherlands’ Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, emphasized the importance of understanding AI in the broader context of emerging technologies. “AI is complex — but the world is even more so,” he said. “That’s why we must consider its interaction with cyber, quantum, and space technologies.”
As the conference drew to a
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