Responsible Procurement of Military Artificial Intelligence

This report examines the intersection of military procurement and responsible military artificial intelligence (AI). The primary function of military procurement is to bridge a military’s strategic needs and its operational capabilities. In practice, however, procurement is also a mechanism by which states implement political commitments and legal obligations. For that reason, procurement can serve as a mechanism for implementing responsible military AI, but only if deliberately structured to do so.

The report investigates why and how states are adapting their procurement processes to accelerate military AI adoption, and why and how states should seize these opportunities to give effect to their legal obligations and high-level political commitments related to responsible military AI. 

The report recommends that states should (a) adapt their procurement processes to give effect to high-level obligations and commitments to responsible development and use of military AI; (b) develop and publish documents articulating clear expectations for suppliers of military AI capabilities; and (c) address the responsible procurement of military AI in international policy discussions.