The US And China Have Refused To Sign A Declaration On The Military Use Of AI
2- 6.02.2026, 9:58
- 3,064
What could be the consequences?
On Thursday, February 5, Spain hosted a summit on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for military purposes. However, the US and China decided not to sign a declaration of principles on the use.
This was reported by Reuters.
What is known about the declaration and who signed it
According to Reuters, the declaration on the military application of AI was signed by just 35 of the 85 countries attending the summit.
Canada, Germany, France, Britain, the Netherlands, South Korea and Ukraine were among the main signatories. The document was not signed by such giants as China and the United States.
It is known that the declaration prescribes the confirmation of human responsibility for weapons that use AI. It specifies the promotion of clear chains of command and control, as well as the sharing of information on national oversight mechanisms "where consistent with national security."
The document also emphasized the importance of risk assessment, rigorous testing, and training and development of personnel working with military AI assets.
What has caused the problem of signing and what the West fears
According to several participants and delegates, tensions between the US and European allies - as well as uncertainty over what transatlantic ties will look like in the coming months and years - have made some countries hesitant to sign joint agreements.
A parallel declaration underscores the growing concern among some governments that the rapid development of artificial intelligence could outpace the rules for its military use, increasing the risk of accidents, miscalculations or unintended escalation.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans told Reuters that governments faced a "prisoner's dilemma," caught between the need to impose responsible restrictions and a reluctance to limit themselves compared to adversaries.
"Russia and China are advancing very rapidly. This creates an urgent need for further AI development. But the rapid development also reinforces the need to continue working on its responsible use. The two are interconnected," Brekelmans said.
It is worth noting that at two previous summits on military AI, held in Gaza and Seoul in 2023 and 2024, some 60 countries, excluding China but including the US, endorsed an "action plan" without legal repercussions.
A researcher at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research Yasmin Athena, who advised the process, noted that this year's document was not legally binding either. That said, some were still uncomfortable with the idea of endorsing more specific policies.
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