Philippines to UNSC: Regulate military use of artificial intelligence

MANILA, Philippines — With the immense capability of artificial intelligence to be exploited for dangerous ends, the Philippines has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take the lead in regulating military uses of AI.

During a high-level debate in New York City last week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the UNSC has the distinct capability to adopt measures that could prevent the exploitation of AI.

By integrating AI in its operations with all due guardrails, Lazaro said the council could utilize its immense potential in threat assessment, sanctions among monitoring and counterterrorism.

“We must institute guiding principles on AI’s military use, invoking applicable International humanitarian law and international human rights law,” she said.

If AI is to be integrated in implementing peacekeeping mandates, she stated that there should be strong oversight to ensure that this tool only “serves to protect and not to harm.”

“The Philippines looks to the UN Security Council to assert its leadership in harnessing AI as a force for good and a powerful driver of peace and security,” she added.

Lazaro said the promise of AI is tempered by its potential for misuse as generative AI and large language models can be used to spread false news and harmful propaganda.

“It can potentially destabilize social order, erode trust in institutions, sow discord, divide populations, undermine democracy, free speech and electoral process,” she said.

Additionally, Lazaro called for transparency and confidence-building among nations with respect to AI use.