Artificial Intelligence And International Law: Accountability For Autonomous Weapons
Mano Ranjitha TI, Assistant Professor in GTN Law College, Dindigul
ABSTRACT
The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into modern military operations is transforming the nature of armed conflict and raising complex questions concerning accountability under international law. Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS), capable of identifying, selecting and engaging targets with limited or no further human intervention, challenge traditional assumptions about human control over the use of force. This research examines the compatibility of autonomous weapons with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and explores the allocation of legal responsibility when AI-enabled systems cause unlawful harm. Particular attention is given to the principles of distinction, proportionality, precautions in attack and the obligation to conduct legal reviews of new weapons under Article 36 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. The study further analyses State responsibility, individual criminal responsibility and command responsibility, while examining the difficulties created by algorithmic unpredictability, opaque decision-making, technological errors and the attribution of conduct to human actors. It evaluates emerging international developments under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), United Nations processes, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) positions and comparative regulatory approaches. The research argues that technological autonomy cannot operate as a legal substitute for human responsibility. Existing international law provides an important foundation, but significant regulatory gaps remain regarding meaningful human control, predictability, accountability and weapons testing. The study therefore advocates a strengthened international framework incorporating clear prohibitions, operational restrictions, mandatory weapons reviews, human oversight and effective accountability mechanisms to ensure that technological advancement does not undermine fundamental humanitarian principles.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Autonomous Weapon Systems; International Humanitarian Law; Human Accountability; Autonomous Warfare.
