Japanese Media "This Year G7 Joint Statement to Coordinate Explicit Responsibility for Military Use of AI"

Appeal for Compliance with International Law and Humanitarian Consideration

According to Kyodo News citing diplomatic sources on the 2nd, the joint statement of this year's Group of Seven (G7) summit is being coordinated to include the need for a "responsible governance framework" regarding the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military sector.

According to the report, the relevant clause in the draft joint statement aims to share certain rules surrounding the use of weapons and also references the basis of international humanitarian law.

The flags of Germany, France, Japan, the European Union, Italy, Capri, and the United States are fluttering in the wind.
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

The draft statement stipulates that AI can play an important role in social evolution and development, while demanding compliance with international law for the military use of AI and appealing for humanitarian considerations.

Regarding the impact of AI in the judicial field, it also includes a cautionary message stating, "The use of AI must not interfere with judges' decisions or judicial independence."

In addition, concerning the labor sector, it emphasizes the establishment of an action plan that promotes safe and reliable AI to pursue human-centered digital transformation, realizing workers' rights and supporting appropriate retraining.

At this year's G7 summit, it is also reported that there will be an agreement to confirm the importance of progress in last year's "Hiroshima AI Process" achievements and to cooperate for the meeting to be held at the United Nations in September based on the outcomes of the "AI Seoul Summit" held in May this year.

Kyodo News reported that as major countries, including the European Union (EU), which finalized the enforcement of AI regulatory law in May, begin reviewing legal regulations on AI, the joint statement of this year's G7 summit is expected to influence future discussions in each country.

This year's G7 summit is scheduled to be held in Italy from the 13th to the 15th.