Written by: Simon Perrin de Brichambaut

Supervised by: Benjamin Robitaille

Edited by: Anne-Sophie Cubert

Abstract

As Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) proliferate on battlefields from Ukraine to the Middle East, states and private actors are increasingly moving towards equipping them with Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI-enabled UAVs excel in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and can effectively counter enemy electronic warfare measures. However, they also raise ethical and legal concerns, particularly when AI is applied in targeting processes. As a result, many in the international community have called for their regulation or an outright ban. Failure to properly regulate the development and use of AI-enabled drones could lead to their proliferation and also to human rights abuses, especially among non-state actors.