LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS (LAWS) DIPLOMACY AND SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT: THE DIPLOMACY OF ARMS CONTROL, PROLIFERATION, AND DISARMAMENT IN THE

LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS (LAWS) DIPLOMACY AND SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT: THE DIPLOMACY OF ARMS CONTROL, PROLIFERATION, AND DISARMAMENT IN THE

The research project, "The Diplomacy of Arms Control, Proliferation, and Disarmament in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guided Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) in Africa", explores the distinct challenges and implications posed by AI-guided LAWS in the African continent. One of the fundamental concerns involves the regulatory, export restriction, and monitoring policy gaps in African countries concerning these systems, underlining the necessity for robust national regulatory frameworks. The report insists on the importance of international and multilateral collaboration to develop comprehensive arms control measures for AI-guided LAWS within the continent. Recognizing the regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing platforms, the research advises establishing regional collaboration platforms for information-sharing, capacity-building, and addressing collective challenges. The study suggests several policy recommendations. Among others, it calls for African countries to build comprehensive national regulatory frameworks that address AI-guided LAWS, incorporating standards for their development, deployment, usage, and measures for accountability and transparency. Moreover, the research stresses establishing rigorous export control measures to prevent the unlawful transfer of AI-guided LAWS technology. The report concludes by accentuating the critical significance of proactive diplomatic measures to navigate the concerns related to AI-guided LAWS in Africa. It envisions a future where AI-guided LAWS are managed by rigorous international frameworks and ethical norms, and to achieve this, stakeholders at all levels need to collaborate, share knowledge, and engage in discourse.