Professor Nehal Bhuta joins the Netherlands’ Global Commission on Responsible AI in the Military Domain

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands has invited Edinburgh Law School’s Professor Nehal Bhuta to join the Global Commission on Responsible AI in the Military Domain (GC REAIM). Established for an initial period of two years, GC REAIM aims to assist in the promotion of mutual awareness and understanding amongst communities working on issues associated to the global governance of AI in the military domain. The Commission will be co-chaired by former South Korean Foreign Minister Byung-se Yun.

The Commission is made up of around fifteen notable thought leaders with distinguished reputations in government, academia, and civil society who have the expertise and legitimacy to speak on the different aspects the GC REAIM will address. Professor Bhuta’s expertise will contribute to the GC REAIM’s focus on the relationship between international humanitarian, criminal, and human rights law, and autonomous weapons.

As a REAIM Commissioner, Professor Bhuta will help produce a strategic guidance report that will aim to identify short- and long-term recommendations to governments and the other stakeholders on topics connected to AI in the military. 

About this appointment, Professor Bhuta said: “I am honoured and very pleased to be joining this Global Commission at a critical moment in the global discussions concerning the regulation of AI generally, and the regulation of military AI in particular. The use of AI in military capabilities is developing fast, and our international legal norms governing the use of force, the conduct of hostilities and the protection of human rights in conflict will be indispensable frameworks for its use – even as the technology may pose new challenges to the law itself. A multi-disciplinary and multi-regional approach such as the Global Commission, will be essential.”

Professor Bhuta will be attending REAIM 2024, the second summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain, which will be taking place in Seoul, South Korea on 9 and 10 September 2024. He will be part of two breakout sessions on The Reality of Algorithmic Warfare and Human Machine Teaming across the Lifecycle, and will join the High Level Ministerial Luncheon as a member of the Global Commission. 

On 11 September, the GC REAIM will convene at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry to continue its deliberations.

Professor Nehal Bhuta - Profile 

The Global Commission on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (GC REAIM)