Nairobi steps into the global spotlight to forge the future of military AI governance

Nairobi is set to host the 4th Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in April 2027, marking a pivotal shift in the global discourse on military artificial intelligence (AI) governance. This event positions Kenya, and by extension the Global South, as a key architect in shaping international norms for AI in warfare, moving beyond traditional Western-centric frameworks. The summit aims to foster practical implementation, capacity building, and inclusive international cooperation to ensure the ethical, safe, and accountable development and deployment of AI in defence and security contexts, addressing critical gaps in existing international humanitarian law.

For generations, the foundational rules governing international security and the laws of armed conflict have been predominantly crafted within the historical institutions of Europe and the West. From the seminal Geneva Conventions to the Hague Regulations, the Global South has largely been an observer rather than an active participant in designing the frameworks that underpin global peace and security. However, this long-standing dynamic is undergoing a significant transformation with the announcement that Nairobi, Kenya, will host the 4th Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in April 2027.

The traditional international legal framework for armed conflict, primarily codified in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, alongside the Hague Regulations of 1899 and 1907, was developed in an era devoid of advanced computing and artificial intelligence. These instruments establish fundamental principles such as distinction, proportionality, and the prohibition of superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering, all predicated on human decision-making and accountability. The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military applications, particularly through Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) or Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS), presents profound challenges to these established norms. AWS, defined as weapon systems that can select and attack targets without further human intervention once activated, raise critical questions about human control, legal accountability for violations, and the ability of such systems to make nuanced judgments required by International Humanitarian Law (IHL). While the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) has served as a primary forum for discussions on LAWS since 2013, progress towards legally binding instruments has been slow and often gridlocked due to differing national positions, with some major powers resisting preemptive regulation.

Kenya's selection as the host for the REAIM Summit in 2027 is a landmark event, marking the first time this leading global forum on military AI will be held in Africa and the Global South. This move signifies a deliberate effort to diversify the voices shaping military AI governance, shifting the focus from abstract policy discussions to practical implementation. The Nairobi summit's agenda is set to prioritize capacity building, institutional readiness, and international cooperation, with a particular emphasis on equipping developing nations with the necessary auditing tools to protect their sovereignty in the face of emerging defence technologies. This approach directly addresses a key concern of the Global South, which often faces technological asymmetry and potential destabilization from AI-powered weapon systems deployed by developed economies.

The discussions in Nairobi are expected to emphasize deeper collaboration between stakeholders to ensure AI is developed and deployed in a manner consistent with international law, ethical standards, and global security priorities. This contrasts with the often-stalled debates within the CCW Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on LAWS, where consensus on new legally binding rules remains elusive. While the CCW has reaffirmed the applicability of IHL to AWS, the ICRC and many states advocate for new rules to clarify and specify how IHL applies, addressing the humanitarian risks and ethical concerns posed by increasing autonomy.

The African Union (AU) has actively sought to assert an African perspective on AI governance, calling for homegrown values-based frameworks and the development of a Common African Position on AI. The AU Peace and Security Council has underlined the need to raise awareness among African states of the risks associated with military AI, including its potential acquisition by non-state actors, and has requested the AU Commission to develop an African Charter on AI for responsible use. This proactive stance from the continent, coupled with Kenya's role as a non-aligned mediator, offers a fresh diplomatic canvas to revive stalled treaties and move towards concrete, practical measures for responsible military AI governance.

Nairobi's emergence as a crucial hub for military AI governance signals a fundamental recalibration of global legal architecture. For legal practitioners, this shift necessitates a keen understanding of the evolving international norms and the unique perspectives brought forth by the Global South. Advising clients on the ethical development, procurement, and deployment of AI in defence contexts will require navigating not only existing IHL but also the nascent and rapidly developing frameworks emerging from multi-stakeholder platforms like REAIM. Practitioners must anticipate the push for greater transparency, accountability, and human oversight in AI-enabled military systems, and be prepared to engage with diverse legal and ethical considerations.

The hosting of REAIM 2027 in Kenya represents a critical opportunity to forge inclusive and actionable governance mechanisms for military AI. The focus on practical implementation, capacity building, and the integration of diverse perspectives is vital to prevent a technological arms race from undermining international peace and security. The legal community must closely monitor the outcomes of such summits and the ongoing efforts of bodies like the African Union to ensure that the future of warfare is shaped by collective responsibility and adherence to humanitarian principles, rather than solely by technological advancement.