{"pk":59800,"title":"Taming the Terminator: Pragmatic International AI Weapons Governance","subtitle":null,"abstract":"This Article examines the legal and ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) weapons systems in modern warfare. It analyzes the inadequacies of existing international humanitarian law in addressing autonomous weapons, explores obstacles to effective governance, and proposes a pragmatic model for regulating military AI. The Article argues that while comprehensive international regulation faces significant geopolitical hurdles, incremental progress through targeted measures is both possible and necessary.\nDrawing on historical examples of arms control agreements, this Article presents a nuanced approach combining targeted prohibitions, non-binding technical standards, and domestic regulations. It contendsthat focusing on high-risk applications, such as autonomous control of nuclear weapons, while developing best practices for testing and human-machine interfaces, can mitigate risks without stifling innovation. The analysis emphasizes the need to balance security concerns with ethical imperatives in an era of rapid technological advancement and great power competition.\nBy recognizing both the limitations of current legal frameworks and opportunities for gradual progress, this Article charts a realistic path forward for the international governance of AI in warfare. It contributes to the ongoing debate on meaningful human control, accountability, and the preservation of core principles of international humanitarian law in increasingly autonomous combat systems.","language":"en","license":{"name":"","short_name":"","text":null,"url":""},"keywords":[],"section":"Articles","is_remote":true,"remote_url":"https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2nf9664d","frozenauthors":[{"first_name":"Cheng-chi","middle_name":"(Kirin)","last_name":"Chang","name_suffix":"","institution":"","department":""}],"date_submitted":"2025-09-10T17:59:18Z","date_accepted":"2025-09-10T17:59:18Z","date_published":"2025-01-01T00:00:00Z","render_galley":null,"galleys":[{"label":"","type":"pdf","path":"https://journalpub.escholarship.org/jilfa/article/59800/galley/45762/download/"}]}