Background

​The first two REAIM Summits - The Hague (2023) and Seoul (2024) - highlighted a shared global understanding: AI must be developed and used in a way that supports, rather than threatens, international peace, security and stability.

Key principles emerging from these discussions include:

• Compliance with international law, including the UN Charter, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law.
• Human responsibility and accountability over military AI systems.
• Appropriate human judgment and control, especially regarding the use of force.

The REAIM Summits of 2023 and 2024 established key milestones in promoting the responsible use of AI in the military domain:

• The Hague 2023: The Summit concluded with a Call for Action, urging States and relevant actors to prioritize the responsible development, deployment, and use of military AI.
• Seoul 2024: The Summit adopted the Blueprint for Action, outlining principles to ensure compliance with international law, meaningful human control, and accountability in military AI systems.

These agreements lay the groundwork for the next stage: moving from principles to implementation.

​Global efforts

Parallel global efforts reinforce this conversation:

• The UN Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (GGE on LAWS) is working towards regulatory elements on autonomous weapons.
• UNGA Resolution 79/239 (2024) recognizes risks posed by military AI, stresses the need for human control, and mandates a report by the UN Secretary-General.
• The REAIM Global Commission report (2025) reflects on the achievements of previous summits.
  

Against this evolving landscape, REAIM 2026 in A Coruña continues the multi-stakeholder spirit of the process bringing together States, International Organizations, industry, academia and civil society to exchange perspectives from diverse regions and sectors.