PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE STATE BEHAVIOR WITH RESPECT TO ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE LIFECYCLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Resumo

 Artificial intelligence (AI) systems not only provide a range of opportunities for sustain­able development but also may negatively affect international peace and international security. In particular they can be used to tar­get peacekeepers, provoke violence and armed conflicts, magnify the effects of malicious cy­ber operations and humiliating memory of genocide victims. Taking into account the nov­elty of risks, inexplicability of decision making of AI, its unpredictability the article attempts to reveal and systematize AI–enabled threats to international peace and security. The article emphasizes that existing international law, in particular, jus cogens norms, principles and norms established in the UN Charter, human rights conventions and other relevant treaties are fully applicable to all types of activities within the lifecycle of AI systems. At the same time their provisions may not comprehensive­ly address all the aspects and specifics of risks produced by such technologies. The article ar­gues that a treaty to regulate safe, secure and responsible use of AI within the UN could es­tablish a comprehensive legal framework on the matter. However, considering continuing uncertainty regarding the risks, opportunities and impacts of AI, the article argues that an idea to conclude such a treaty may be consid­ered quite premature now. For that reason, the article proposes the principles of responsible State behavior with respect to activities within the lifecycle of AI systems in the context of in­ternational peace and security as a pragmatic approach to enhance stability and security and support the gradual development of an inter­national normative framework at present.

KEYWORDS: artificial intelligence (AI). cy­bersecurity. international peace and security. threats to international peace and security. principles of responsible state behavior.