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Table of Contents
UN resolutions on AI in the military domain
As of 1 October 2026.
| Full title | UN General Assembly resolutions “Artificial intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security” (79/239, 80/58) and “Possible risks of the integration of artificial intelligence into command, control and communications systems of nuclear weapons” (80/23) |
|---|---|
| Type | UN General Assembly resolutions |
| Adopted by | UN General Assembly (on the recommendation of the First Committee) |
| Adopted | December 2024 (79/239); 1 December 2025 (80/23); 5 December 2025 (80/58, according to UNODA) |
| Legal status | Non-binding |
| Official text | A/RES/79/239 (UN Digital Library) · A/RES/80/23 (UN Digital Library) |
| Subject area | Artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons; UN processes and institutions |
Overview
Since its 79th session the UN General Assembly has addressed the military use of artificial intelligence (AI) beyond the specific question of lethal autonomous weapons systems, which is dealt with in the CCW and in separate resolutions (laws). Resolution 79/239 was adopted with 159 votes in favour, 2 against and 5 abstentions. A follow-up resolution under the same title, 80/58, was adopted at the 80th session. Resolution 80/23 addresses possible risks of integrating AI into nuclear command, control and communications systems and was adopted with 118 votes in favour, 9 against and 44 abstentions.
Provisions relevant to the cyber and information sphere
- Resolution 79/239 – first General Assembly resolution on AI in the military domain as a whole; the Secretary-General's report submitted in response to it, including replies received from Member States, was issued as A/80/78 (5 June 2025).
- Resolution 80/58 – follow-up resolution; provided for informal exchanges, open to Member States, observer States, international and regional organisations, the ICRC, academia, civil society, the scientific and technical community and industry, on the Secretary-General's report, held in Geneva from 15 to 17 June 2026; the Office for Disarmament Affairs is to provide a written factual summary to the First Committee at its 81st session (UNODA note verbale).
- Resolution 80/23 – concerns artificial intelligence in nuclear command, control and communications systems (see nc3).
Application to cyber and information operations
The resolutions address AI-enabled military capabilities, including decision-support systems, which rely on data processing and networked infrastructure. They do not create new legal obligations; they refer to the applicability of existing international law. Positions differ between States favouring further multilateral work and States preferring national approaches or non-binding measures; voting records are available in the UN Digital Library.
Recent developments
- 2024-12: Resolution 79/239 adopted (159–2–5) (UN Digital Library; UNODA).
- 2025-06-05: Report of the Secretary-General A/80/78 issued (UN Digital Library).
- 2025-12-01: Resolution 80/23 adopted (118–9–44) (UN Digital Library).
- 2025-12-05: Resolution 80/58 adopted (UNODA).
- 2026-06-15 to 2026-06-17: Informal exchanges on AI in the military domain in Geneva (UNODA).
- 2026-09-23: High-level Security Council briefing on artificial intelligence and international security under the presidency of France (Security Council Report).
Related entries
Sources
- UN Digital Library, A/RES/79/239 (voting record), accessed 2026-10-01
- UNODA, Artificial intelligence in the military domain, accessed 2026-10-01
- UN Digital Library, A/RES/80/23 (voting record), accessed 2026-10-01
- UNODA, agenda of the informal exchanges (June 2026), accessed 2026-10-01
- UNODA, note verbale on the informal exchanges pursuant to resolution 80/58, accessed 2026-10-01
- UN Digital Library, A/80/78 Report of the Secretary-General (5 June 2025), accessed 2026-10-01
Change log
- 2026-10-01: Entry created.