Title: The consequences of using autonomous weapon systems in light of international humanitarian law

Authors: Naser Al Ali; Ziad Alwahshat; Vladimir Chebotarev

Addresses: Department of Maritime and International Law, Russian University of Transport, Moscow, Russia ' Department of Law, Ajloun National University, Ajloun, Jordan ' Department of Maritime and International Law, Russian University of Transport, Moscow, Russia

Abstract: Technological development, particularly in artificial intelligence, has led to the production of autonomous weapon systems. The use of this new type of weapon poses numerous challenges and issues regarding the suitability of the rules of international humanitarian law for these new means of warfare. This study aimed to explore the boundaries, prospects, and challenges of applying international humanitarian law to the use of autonomous weapon systems in armed conflicts, and to investigate their legitimacy. Therefore, the research aimed to address its primary inquiries, namely: what is the concept of autonomous weapon systems? What is the legitimacy of using autonomous weapon systems in armed conflicts? What is the legitimacy of using autonomous weapon systems in legitimate self-defence, and how can international humanitarian law be applied to the use of autonomous weapon systems in armed conflicts? What is the future of international engagement with autonomous weapon systems?

Keywords: weapon systems; international humanitarian; killer robots; autonomous weapon; artificial intelligence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESDF.2026.155006

International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics, 2026 Vol.18 No.4, pp.477 - 493

Received: 08 Jul 2024
Accepted: 10 Oct 2024
Published online: 22 Jul 2026 *

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