Disarmament

Technological advancements have introduced new fronts for warfare, and international treaties and rules are lagging behind. The growing use of updateable software in commercial satellite networks has created serious new risks for space security. Modern civilian satellites can now be remotely changed into space weapons long after launch. Because these satellites move at extreme speeds, autonomous systems increase the risk of accidental collisions, fast-starting conflicts, and uncertainty over who is responsible. Current international agreements, such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, do not include clear rules for software updates sent after launch or ways to hold countries accountable when automated systems make mistakes.

Along with these risks in space, the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military defense systems directly challenges established rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). As AI systems begin making real-time decisions about using lethal force on the battlefield, the international community must address key questions about legal compliance, accountability, and the need to keep human control over life-and-death decisions. The hard-to-understand nature of complex AI makes it difficult to assign clear responsibility to governments during military operations.

In this committee session, delegates must work together to create strong international rules to address these related technological risks. Draft resolutions should focus on updating older space laws through flight-data monitoring, setting clear legal and ethical limits for autonomous weapons, and creating safety zones to help maintain global peace and security.

Disarmament Background Guide