Delegates from the 128 states party to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) met in Geneva this week to try to agree a non‑binding text that could pave the way for later negotiations on banning or regulating lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS). According to several diplomatic sources, opposition from the United States and Russia has made adoption of such a document increasingly uncertain.
Most countries at the meeting supported the draft text, but the United States and Russia proposed last‑minute amendments and deletions. One diplomatic source told Reuters that “the window for agreement is narrowing,” and another warned negotiators could run out of time, risking removal of provisions developed over years.
Concerns about semi‑autonomous and AI‑assisted weapons have risen in recent years. These systems, with varying degrees of autonomy, can identify and engage targets; reports indicate they have been deployed in Ukraine, Sudan and parts of the Middle East.
Human Rights Watch and the Stop Killer Robots coalition have warned such systems can behave unpredictably, increasing the risk of fatal errors. At the same time, participants at the talks noted that, in practice, every semi‑autonomous weapon currently in service that can take human life operates under a “Human‑in‑the‑Loop” principle — meaning an attack is executed only after explicit authorization from a human operator. While this does not eliminate the possibility of errors, states say proper human oversight can substantially reduce the risks.
Although most states agree that international humanitarian law (IHL) applies to autonomous weapon systems, there are virtually no specific, legally binding international norms tailored to these technologies. A central question at the talks is whether new binding rules are needed or whether existing IHL obligations and voluntary guidelines provide an adequate regulatory framework.
The United States’ position has hardened over the past six months: rather than pursuing a legally binding international treaty, Washington prefers non‑binding guidelines. Russia, India and Turkey share that view. Two diplomats said the United States has formally approached at least six countries to secure support for its stance on the draft text.
Adopting a non‑binding document in Geneva could have opened a path toward future negotiations on binding agreements. If consensus collapses, the international community may be left with less clarity on how to govern autonomous weapons as advocacy groups continue to highlight technological risks.
Note: an AI assistant contributed to the preparation of this article; our reporter edited and verified the final content.
Tags: agreement, artificial intelligence, diplomacy, Geneva, negotiations, weapons, convention, weapon systems, warfare, international law
Image: prototype of the American Anduril FQ‑44 unmanned fighter aircraft (illustration).
