UN disarmament committee debate ends with calls for nuclear action and human control of military AI

The UN General Assembly’s First Committee has concluded its general debate with delegates calling for renewed nuclear disarmament efforts and continued human control over military uses of artificial intelligence (AI). [1]

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s representative said nuclear-armed states were continuing to modernise their arsenals while military spending rose. He called for political commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and urged states to attend the first review conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, scheduled for New York from 30 November to 4 December under South Africa’s presidency.

He also called for negotiations on a legally binding instrument governing military AI, saying its use must remain compatible with international law. “Human beings must remain at the heart of military manoeuvres; machines must not assume control,” he said.

Guinea’s delegate likewise called for effective human control over decisions to use force and said military technologies should be developed and used in accordance with international law. He urged inclusive dialogue to address their risks and support responsible use.

Guinea also reaffirmed support for the Treaty of Pelindaba, which establishes Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone, and for efforts to establish such a zone in the Middle East. Its delegate voiced concern about rising global military spending while funding gaps persisted in efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. [1]