Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain: Implications for Human Rights

Hearing
Date:
Location:
TBD

Hearing Notice

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) for a hearing examining the human rights and humanitarian implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military domain.

The adoption of AI technologies is rapidly transforming modern warfare. AI encompasses a wide range of technical capabilities, from data analysis and pattern recognition to autonomous decision-support systems. Its increasing integration into military operations raises urgent questions about accountability, civilian protection, and respect for fundamental rights.

Existing international humanitarian law and international human rights law provide important protections, but experts debate whether current legal mechanisms are sufficient to address the novel challenges posed by AI deployment by militaries. AI-enabled decision support systems (DSS), autonomous targeting tools, and other emerging technologies are reshaping military behavior on and off the battlefield. But as AI systems become more accessible and widely deployed, concerns are growing about the risks of these technologies, including their potential misuse, unintended consequences for rights-holders, and the erosion of meaningful human control over life-and-death decisions. 

Witnesses will discuss emerging trends in military AI, governance gaps, and opportunities for policymakers to ensure that technological innovation remains consistent with human rights and humanitarian obligations.

The hearing will be hybrid. Members of Congress will participate in person. Witnesses may participate in person or remotely via Cisco WebEx. The public and the media may attend in person or view the hearing by live webcast on the Commission website. For questions, please contact Grace Gerardi (for Co-Chair McGovern) or Mark Milosch (for Co-Chair Smith).

Hosted by: 

James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC		Chris Smith
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
Witnesses

Witnesses

  • Amanda Klasing, National Director of Government Relations, Amnesty International USA
  • Anna Mysyshyn, PhD, Co-Founder and Director, Institute for Innovative Governance
  • Bonnie Docherty, Director, Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative, Harvard Law School International Rights Clinic and Senior Arms Researcher, Human Rights Watch
  • Charles Camosy, PhD, Professor of Moral Theology, Catholic University of America
Related Items
Artificial Intelligence: The Consequences for Human Rights

Contact The Commission

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
4150 O'Neill House Office Building
200 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20515
United States of America

Phone: +1 (202) 225-3599
TLHRC@mail.house.gov

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