Zelensky Calls for International Regulation of AI in Military Systems at UN General Assembly
During his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a urgent appeal to the global community for the development of clear rules and standards regarding the use of artificial intelligence in modern military systems.
He emphasized that Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has accelerated technological advancements in weaponry, leaving many countries behind in terms of defense capabilities.
Zelensky highlighted that tens of thousands of people have already learned to operate drones professionally, and the trend towards creating autonomous combat machines is growing rapidly.
He pointed out that drone technology now allows aircraft to fly thousands of kilometers, and soon there will be devices capable of engaging with each other in the air, attacking critical infrastructure — all autonomously, with human intervention limited to system control of AI.
Such developments threaten global security, especially if autonomous systems begin to operate independently without human oversight.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that we are living in the era of the most destructive arms race in human history, compounded by artificial intelligence.
‘We need binding international regulations on the application of AI within military systems,’ Zelensky declared.
‘This is as urgent as stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Without international cooperation, it might soon be too late to prevent catastrophic consequences.’ He also noted that international law is increasingly ineffective without strong alliances and modern weapons to back up nations’ security.
Ukraine is investing heavily in its defense industry, which he considers the only reliable guarantee of safety and independence amid global conflicts.
Zelensky urged the international community to act decisively in establishing effective frameworks to regulate AI use in warfare to prevent future devastating conflicts and maintain the global balance of power.