IGF 2025 Open Forum #79 A Oppenheimer Moment: The Need for Regulating Autonomous Weapon Systems

At the last Internet Governance Forum in 2024 international experts gathered to address one of the most critical technological challenges of our time: the regulation of autonomous weapons systems (AWS). This pivotal discussion, hosted by Austria, brought together diplomats, academia, technologists, civil society representatives and security experts to explore the profound implications of AWS for the first time in the IGF. As the technology pace on the development of such system has picked up speed, this discussion should be continued through multi-stakeholder engagement at the IGF.

The Session will discuss recent developments and new perspectives of the need for regulation of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). The 79th UN General Assembly in October discussed the AWS Report of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres published in July 2024 pursuant to the UN Resolution 78/241 on “Lethal autonomous weapons systems”, introduced by Austria in 2023, and supported by the overwhelming majority of UN member states. At the 79^th Session of the UN General Assembly, two related resolutions were adopted: The follow up resolution sponsored by Austria and a cross-regional group of co-sponsors 79/62 on “Lethal autonomous weapons systems”, which is aimed to intensify the AWS discussion and address those aspects of the UN SG report, that have not yet been discussed comprehensively, including from a human rights, ethical and security perspective, and another one sponsored by the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea together with a cross-regional group of co-sponsors 79/239 on AI in the military domain and its implications for peace and security more broadly.

In 2025, the Group of Governmental Experts in the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons continues its work on the elaboration of elements of an instrument on AWS according to its mandate of 2023. Further, the UN will organize a two-day multi-stakeholder informal consultation on AWS pursuant to resolution 79/62. The call of the UN Secretary General and the ICRC President of 5 October 2023, supported by many states, to conclude negotiations on a legally binding instrument on AWS by 2026 is still on the table.

The IGF Open Forum will contribute to build more public awareness of the challenges around AWS in a world of new political turbulences and risks. Stakeholders from different communities will discuss the various aspects – political, legal, ethical, humanitarian, technical etc. – of the development and use of AWS and consider ideas, how to contribute to the development of a regulatory framework for autonomous weapon systems as a contribution to peace and security and the achievement of the development goals.

Onsite and online participation