REAIM summit: U.S., China skip new pledge on military AI

Key Update

At the REAIM summit, a new nonbinding declaration on governing military AI drew signatures from a minority of attendees, while the U.S. and China opted out.

Details

The principles highlighted human responsibility, clearer command-and-control, risk assessments, and robust testing standards for military AI systems.

Background

Earlier REAIM outcomes were broader and nonbinding; the newer text was seen as more concrete, which can make countries more cautious about signing.

Why It Matters

Military AI is moving fast, and uneven adoption of norms can raise miscalculation risk—especially if major powers avoid shared principles while competitors accelerate deployment.