Act on the Global Governance of Autonomous Weapon Systems: Development and Deployment

Act on the Global Governance of Autonomous Weapon Systems: Development and Deployment

The World Parliament,

* Acknowledging the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and related technologies, and their potential applications in weapon systems;
* Recognizing the profound ethical, legal, humanitarian, and security implications posed by autonomous weapon systems (AWS);
* Reaffirming the applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, to all weapon systems and their use;
* Emphasizing the imperative to maintain meaningful human control over the use of force and the critical functions of weapon systems;
* Committed to preventing an arms race in AWS, mitigating risks to international peace and security, and upholding human dignity;
* Determined to establish a robust and effective global governance framework for the development and deployment of AWS;

Hereby enacts the following Act:

Part I: General Provisions

Article 1: Objectives

This Act establishes a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for the global governance of autonomous weapon systems, aiming to:

a. Ensure meaningful human control over the use of force;
b. Prevent the proliferation and indiscriminate use of AWS;
c. Uphold international humanitarian law and international human rights law;
d. Promote transparency, accountability, and international cooperation in the development and deployment of AWS;
e. Mitigate risks to international peace and security posed by AWS.

Article 2: Definitions

For the purposes of this Act:

a. "Autonomous Weapon System" (AWS) means a weapon system with autonomy in its critical functions, designed to select and engage targets without human intervention.
b. "Critical Functions" means the functions of selecting, acquiring, tracking, and engaging targets, including the decision to apply force.
c. "Meaningful Human Control" means a degree of human involvement in the operation of weapon systems that is sufficient to ensure accountability, facilitate compliance with international law, and enable human judgment regarding the use of force.
d. "Development" means any activity related to the research, design, engineering, testing, and production of AWS.
d. "Deployment" means the placement, positioning, or operational use of AWS.

Article 3: Scope of Application

This Act applies to all States, international organizations, and non-state actors involved in the development, acquisition, transfer, or deployment of Autonomous Weapon Systems.

Part II: Core Principles

Article 4: Principle of Meaningful Human Control

All States shall ensure that meaningful human control is maintained over the critical functions of all weapon systems, including those incorporating autonomous capabilities. The delegation of critical functions to machines shall not absolve humans of their responsibility under international law.

Article 5: Adherence to International Law

States shall ensure that the development and deployment of AWS are at all times consistent with their obligations under international law, including the principles and rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Article 6: Accountability

States shall establish clear lines of responsibility and accountability for the actions of AWS, ensuring that individuals and States can be held accountable for violations of international law resulting from the development, deployment, or use of such systems.

Part III: Prohibitions and Restrictions

Article 7: Prohibited Autonomous Weapon Systems

States shall be prohibited from developing, producing, acquiring, transferring, or deploying:

a. Autonomous Weapon Systems that are designed or intended to target human beings directly without any human intervention in the decision to apply force;
b. Autonomous Weapon Systems that are inherently indiscriminate or uncontrollable, or that cannot be operated in compliance with international humanitarian law, particularly the rules of distinction, proportionality, and precaution;
c. Autonomous Weapon Systems that are designed or intended to operate with a high degree of unpredictability or to learn and adapt in ways that cannot be foreseen or controlled by humans.

Article 8: Restricted Autonomous Weapon Systems

For all AWS not explicitly prohibited under Article 7, States shall ensure that their development, acquisition, transfer, and deployment are subject to strict regulation and oversight, including:

a. A requirement for human-in-the-loop or human-on-the-loop control over critical functions, ensuring that a human operator can intervene to halt or modify an engagement decision before or during its execution;
b. Robust testing, verification, and validation processes to ensure predictable and reliable operation within defined parameters.

Article 9: Requirements for Permitted AWS

Any AWS permitted under Article 8 shall:

a. Be designed to operate within clearly defined and bounded operational parameters;
b. Be subject to continuous human monitoring and oversight;
c. Incorporate fail-safe mechanisms to prevent unintended or unauthorized operation;
d. Be capable of deactivation or termination of operations by human command at any time.

Part IV: National Implementation and International Oversight

Article 10: National Regulatory Frameworks

Each State shall establish and maintain a comprehensive national regulatory framework to implement the provisions of this Act, including:

a. Legislation prohibiting or restricting AWS as stipulated herein;
b. Licensing and authorization procedures for the development and deployment of AWS;
c. Mechanisms for oversight, inspection, and enforcement;
d. Training and education programs for personnel involved in the development or deployment of AWS.

Article 11: International Oversight Body

An International Oversight Body for Autonomous Weapon Systems (hereinafter "the Body") is hereby established under the auspices of the World Parliament. The Body shall:

a. Monitor compliance with this Act;
b. Receive and review national reports on AWS development and deployment;
c. Conduct investigations into alleged violations of this Act;
d. Provide expert advice and recommendations to States;
e. Facilitate international cooperation and information exchange.

Article 12: Transparency and Reporting

States shall submit annual reports to the Body detailing their national policies, legislative measures, and any development, acquisition, or deployment of AWS. These reports shall be made publicly available, subject to appropriate safeguards for classified information.

Article 13: Risk and Impact Assessments

Prior to the development or deployment of any AWS, States shall conduct comprehensive ethical, legal, and operational risk and impact assessments, considering potential humanitarian, security, and socio-economic consequences. The findings of these assessments shall be submitted to the Body.

Part V: International Cooperation

Article 14: Information Sharing and Best Practices

States shall cooperate in the exchange of information, best practices, and lessons learned regarding the safe, ethical, and responsible development and deployment of AWS, consistent with the provisions of this Act.

Article 15: Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

States in a position to do so shall provide technical and financial assistance to other States to facilitate the implementation of this Act, particularly in establishing national regulatory frameworks and conducting risk assessments.

Article 16: Research and Development

States shall promote and support international collaborative research into the ethical implications of AWS, the development of robust verification and validation methodologies, and alternative technologies that enhance human control and reduce risks.

Part VI: Compliance and Enforcement

Article 17: Compliance Mechanism

The Body shall establish a mechanism to review the compliance of States with their obligations under this Act. This mechanism shall include procedures for consultation, clarification, and, where necessary, recommendations for corrective action.

Article 18: State Responsibility

States shall be held responsible under international law for any breach of their obligations under this Act, including for the actions of AWS developed, acquired, or deployed by them that cause harm or violate international law.

Article 19: Individual Accountability

States shall take all necessary measures to establish criminal liability for individuals who commit or order the commission of grave breaches of international humanitarian law or other serious violations of international law through the development, deployment, or use of AWS, in accordance with applicable international and national law.

Part VII: Final Provisions

Article 20: Review Conferences

Review Conferences shall be convened by the World Parliament every five years, or earlier if deemed necessary, to consider the operation and effectiveness of this Act, and to take into account new technological developments and their implications for AWS.

Article 21: Entry into Force

This Act shall enter into force six months after its adoption by the World Parliament.

Article 22: Amendments

Any State may propose amendments to this Act. Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the World Parliament and shall enter into force for all States upon ratification by a majority of States within one year of their adoption.