On 7–9 May, Dr Vincent Boulanin and Jules Palayer of SIPRI’s Governance of Artificial Intelligence Programme co-organized a panel and led a two-day workshop in New York focused on addressing the misuse of civilian artificial intelligence (AI).
The panel discussion, organized in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and New York University’s Center for Responsible AI and Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence, focused on mitigating the risks civilian AI presents to international peace and security. The discussion explored how to empower key AI practitioners to play an active role in addressing these risks. It also examined what international organizations, governments and civil society organizations can do to support the efforts of the civilian AI community.
The event hosted speakers including Julia Stoyanovich, Institute Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, New York University; Peter Asaro, Associate Professor of Media Studies, The New School; Virginia Dignum, Professor of Responsible AI, Umeå University; and Dr Boulanin, Director of SIPRI’s Governance of AI Programme. Bringing together participants from the disarmament community, academia and education, the event also provided a platform for informal exchange and networking.
The second event, a two-day workshop held at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering and at the UN Headquarters, centred on responsible AI education for peace and security. Building on insights from SIPRI and UNODA’s joint initiative on responsible AI innovation, funded by the European Union, the workshop featured a range of panels, interactive discussions and activities. Participants examined the dual-use nature of AI technologies and the broader societal risks they pose. Discussions centred on the role of responsible AI education in mitigating these challenges, and what is required to effectively engage and prepare future AI practitioners to consider the peace and security implications of their work.
Aiming to bridge the gap between technical experts, academics and policy representatives, the workshop featured a moderated conversation with three high-level representatives of the policy community: Amandeep Gill Singh, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology; Maritza Chan Valverde, Chair of the UN General Assembly First Committee; and Adedeji Ebo, Director of UNODA and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.