“The military application of AI is a double-edged sword... requiring global cooperation.”

The high-level REAIM Summit 2024, jointly hosted by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took place in Seoul.

Delegates from 90 countries participated to discuss the establishment of international norms.

Progress was made on discussions concerning the responsible use of AI.

Minister Kim Yong Hyun met with the defense ministers of the Netherlands and Singapore to explore further military cooperation.

Keynote panel discussions took place at the High-level REAIM Summit 2024, co-hosted by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at Lotte Hotel Seoul on September 9.

A high-level conference on the responsible use of AI in military applications, known as the "High-level REAIM Summit 2024," co-hosted by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took place at Lotte Hotel Seoul on the morning of September 9.

The summit, which runs until September 10, seeks to enhance understanding of AI's impact on international peace and security in the military domain and contribute to the establishment of international norms.

Approximately 1,000 government officials from 90 countries participated in the conference, including Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, and senior representatives from the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the UK.

In his welcome speech, Minister Kim Yong Hyun emphasized the dual role of AI in the military, noting, "While AI has significantly improved military operational capabilities, its misuse could result in severe consequences. It is like a double-edged sword." He stressed the need for "a balanced approach to responsible AI use in the military, along with global cooperation."

In his opening remarks, Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized, "Although AI in military applications can foster innovation, it also brings numerous challenges. Establishing norms and governance for the responsible use of AI is vital to maintaining international peace, security, and protecting human dignity."

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun (second from the right) and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (far right) visited the Agency for Defense Development booths to observe a demonstration of autonomous robotic exploration.

He further explained that the High-level REAIM Summit seeks to promote a balanced understanding of AI's effects on international peace and security, identify ways to implement responsible AI practices, and create governance structures involving multiple stakeholders.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans noted that the summit provides a platform for discussions among various stakeholders on developing international norms for the responsible use of AI. He expressed optimism that this conference would help advance these discussions on global AI governance.

After the opening session, the summit included plenary sessions, a ministerial segment, and several side events. Participants from different fields shared perspectives on the principles and governance of responsible AI use in the military sector.

In the first plenary session, a keynote panel addressed the theme "Understanding the Implications of AI on International Peace and Security," followed by meetings of 13 small groups. The second plenary session featured a panel on "Implementing Responsible AI Applications in the Military Domain," with 21 small group meetings. During the special session (REAIM Talks 1) in the afternoon, industry and academic representatives, leading AI innovation, presented various approaches for responsible AI use to policymakers.

In the afternoon, Minister Kim Yong Hyun met with Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, who was in Korea for the High-Level REAIM Summit 2024 and the Second Defense Ministerial Meeting of Korea and UNC Member States. They exchanged views on bilateral security matters, as well as cooperation in defense and the defense industry.

Minister Kim also held bilateral discussions with Singapore's Defense Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen, focusing on expanding defense cooperation between South Korea and Singapore.

By Ah-Mi, Cho <[email protected]>

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