Online seminar
Details
The last decade has witnessed an increase in the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in armed conflicts as a part of a defense programme to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the military sector. Although, there are many benefits of military applications of AI, the controversy surrounding its use remains a hot topic for debate both on academic and policy-making level.
Although the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) is investing more in the economic and social sectors when it comes to the use of AI, the region has been experiencing the capabilities of AI as a tool of war. Indeed, countries like Libya, have been witnessing the use of AI-based military capabilities such as drones for various reasons; surveillance, reconnaissance and even conducting lethal attacks. The question of its efficiency and, more importantly, the ethical side of using such capabilities at wars yet remain a subject of debate and continuous research.
The military development of the use of drones in warfare caught the attention of criticism when its use took a major shift from “an eye in the sky” to “shooting targets”. Furthermore, the rising competition of superpowers for the development and incorporation of AI in the military reveals a new arms race that is worth looking into.
In this context, the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung organises, on 18 February 2021 at 3 PM CET, an online seminar entitled “AI in armed conflicts in the MENA region”. The objective of this virtual event is to unfold the use of AI-based drones in armed conflicts. The invited experts will highlight the increasing use of UAVs for military purposes, with a focus on Libya as a case study. They will also shed light on the legal and ethical side of using drones.
Program outline
Welcome and introduction remarks
Mr. Thomas Volk
Director, Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Expert Discussion
Dr. Feras Batarseh
Associate Professor, College of Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Mr. Jalel Harchaoui
Senior Fellow, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Ms. Yasmin Afina
Research Analyst, International Security Programme, Chatham House
Moderator
Ms. Mary Fitzgerald
Associate Fellow, ICSR, King's College London
Questions & Discussions
Here you will find the program for download: Concept note AI in armed conflicts.pdf
