[Workshop] Critical reflections on AI ethics principles and societal inputs for the governance of military AI

On Wednesday 26 April, the DILEMA Project of the Asser Institute, University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and the Battlefield AI Project of the University of New South Wales Canberra (Australia) are co-organising the (hybrid) workshop Critical Reflections on AI Ethics Principles and Societal Inputs for the Governance of Military AI. The goal of this workshop is to address some practical, legal and ethical aspects of developing and utilising societally informed ethics principles for the governance of military AI. 

Background
In recent years, ‘AI ethics principles’ have emerged as an instrument for the governance of military applications of artificial intelligence (AI). These documents can be developed by groups of experts and policy makers, or through experimentation or consultation with the general public or relevant stakeholders. Each initiative proposes a list of ‘principles’, values, guidelines or descriptions of best practices that can be action guiding and promote responsible design, development and use of military AI. While these initiatives provide frameworks against which decisions and practices of individuals, institutions and states can be assessed, their normative role is unclear, and they remain legally non-binding.  

What is the place and utility of AI ethics principles in juxtaposition to existing legal and other normative frameworks? What roles can or should the general public or relevant stakeholders play in the creation of these lists of principles? What are the social and cultural implications of creating ‘lists’ to promote responsible behaviour? And what conceptual and practical issues should be considered in the development of AI principles?

Examples of surveys for identifying relevant societal values for the governance of military AI, are:

• Autonomous systems for Australia's Defence
• Public consultation on principles and values for military AI 

Confirmed speakers

• Dr Alexander Blanchard (Alan Turing Institute)
• Dr Christine Boshuijzen-van Burken (University of New South Wales)
• Dr Berenice Boutin (Asser Institute, and project leader of the DILEMA project)
• Professor Rain Liivoja (University of Queensland)
• Dr Lauren Sanders (University of Queensland)
• Dr Shannon Spruit (Populytics)
  

Date and Time: Wednesday, 26 April 2023, 10:00 - 12:30 Central European Summer Time, 18:00 – 20:30 Australian Eastern Time
Format: Hybrid         
Venue: Asser Institute (Zeestraat 100, The Hague) and online.