AI meets the Laws of War

At CyCon 2025, the panel “International Law Perspectives on AI in Armed Conflict: Emerging Issues” brought together four leading experts to tackle one of today’s most urgent debates — how artificial intelligence is transforming the nature of war. The discussion spanned AI’s growing role in military operations, cyber defence, decision-making, and humanitarian assistance, with a sharp focus on its implications under international law.

Panellists unpacked the pressing challenges of applying international humanitarian law to AI-driven warfare, from questions of accountability and compliance to the need for forward-looking regulatory frameworks.

In a highlight of the session, panel moderator Professor Kubo Mačák revealed the upcoming CCDCOE publication International Law and Artificial Intelligence in Armed Conflict: The AI–Cyber Interplay. The book offers an in-depth exploration of AI’s legal dimensions in armed conflict, examining its disruptive impact on both warfare and international law, which will be available next year.

Extending the conversation beyond the conference, the book’s contributors — Professor Kubo Mačák, Dr Anna Greipl, Dr Antonio Coco, Col Dr Eric Pouw, Netta Goussac and Professor Rain Liivoja — share their insights in a special Articles of War series. These pieces offer a first look at the book’s themes, shedding light on the complex relationship between cyber operations and artificial intelligence.

Special thanks to Professor Sean Watts, Col Joshua Berry, Professor Jennifer Maddocks, Liisi Adamson and Articles of War team for support with the series.

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