[Policy brief] Can Rules of Engagement and military directives effectively control military AI?
Published 11 February 2025
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape modern warfare, the need for effective control over military AI systems has become increasingly urgent. Insights from a recent expert workshop, led by researcher Jonathan Kwik and colleagues, underscore the need for strategic, flexible, and context-specific AI guidelines.
The growing integration of AI in military operations has raised pressing governance challenges. While existing instruments such as Rules of Engagement (ROE) remain fundamental, AI’s inherent complexities demand a tailored, nuanced approach to ensure effective command and control (C2).
In response to these challenges, in November 2024, the DILEMA and ELSA Lab Defence projects convened a multidisciplinary workshop at the Asser Institute. Participants explored whether traditional military frameworks, like ROE, could adapt to effectively regulate AI, and how to translate complex technical operational elements into actionable instructions. Through educational seminars and a detailed use case, the workshop yielded two key takeaways: first, context-specific approaches are essential to address AI’s unique properties while ensuring compliance with international law; second, effective AI governance requires comprehensive risk assessments, clear instructions, and ongoing operator training.
These findings provide a comprehensive framework for addressing the evolving challenges of military AI, offering practical guidance for navigating its complexities.
Read the full policy brief here.
About Jonathan Kwik
Jonathan Kwik is a researcher in international law at the Asser Institute attached to the ELSA Lab Defence project. His specialisation is in the laws governing the conduct of hostilities and artificial intelligence (AI). He currently sits as a member of the Board of Experts of the Asia-Pacific Journal of International Humanitarian Law (APJIHL) and he is an academic partner of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
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