US, China opt out of joint declaration on AI use in military

At a military AI summit, one-third of the 85 attending countries pledged to govern AI in warfare. Notably, China and the U.S. did not sign.

Tensions between the U.S. and European allies led to hesitation around joint agreements. The declaration aims to mitigate risks of rapid AI advancements outpacing military regulations.

Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans noted a "prisoner's dilemma" between responsible restrictions and competitive advantages.

Thirty-five countries, including Canada, Germany, and Ukraine, committed to principles emphasizing human responsibility, clear command structures, and risk assessments.

Previous summits had also seen countries endorse a non-binding AI action plan.