Topic A: Regulating Autonomous Weapons and Military Artificial Intelligence in Armed Conflict
Advances in artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming modern combat that is occurring in current war zones, especially by means of the advancement of autonomous weapons systems, which are capable of recognizing and engaging against targets with minimum human oversight. Supporters believe that these technological tools could lessen army fatalities and or causalities while simultaneously enhancing operational performance; while critics caution that their deployment offers major ethical, legal, and security risks. This is causing worries about autonomous systems perhaps failing to observe humanitarian law, specifically the restrictions concerning making distinctions between targets and civilians. This can raise the risk of harm perpetrated on civilians situated by active fighting. Bringing focus to the bigger issue: how the high rate of progress and AI innovation has outpaced international law. As a result, there are gaps in international governance. Delegates in the DISEC Committee will examine how to govern weapons and military AI. Their mission is to balance innovation, international security, and civilian protection. They should seek to develop a means to manage weapons systems while still allowing for technological progress. The international community needs to work to address these challenges. Autonomous weapons systems and military AI are concerns that need to be addressed. The usage of weapons systems and military AI must be carefully considered.
Topic B: Protecting Children in Armed Conflict and Preventing Their Exploitation by State and Non-State Actor
Armed conflict continues to leave millions of children at danger of cruelty, enrollment into military involvement in warfare, and active exploitation by both state and non-state armed organizations. Children are often coerced into positions as combatants, informants, laborers, or human shields, subjecting them to serious physical and psychological suffering. Despite international protocols such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol forbidding the hiring of children in military implementation is still patchy in many regions that are unfortunately subjected to bloodshed in warfare and conflict. Likewise, ongoing instability, dislocation, and inadequate governance institutions expose children to easy manipulation making them susceptible to exploitation by armed groups. Delegates in the DISEC Committee will study measures to increase international protections, improve enforcement of existing laws, and identify feasible long term solutions to prevent the recruiting and mistreatment of children in armed conflict.
Meet your Dias!
May Alaswad, Director
May is a sophomore in the UCONN honors-program majoring in Electrical Engineering. In high school, she served as President of her school’s Debate Team and a spokesperson for Student Government, while attending a couple model UN conferences as an independent delegate for 2 years on her own time. This is May’s second year at UCMUN after serving as an Assistant Director for DISEC last year. May is also a member of the UConn MSA, the Society of Women Engineers, and was recently admitted into Alpha Lambda Delta. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, and collecting jewelry and perfumes. She is excited to meet everyone and help make this year of UCMUN a wonderful one! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out at: may.alaswad@uconn.edu