Artificial intelligence in contemporary conflicts and the future of military law

The ongoing Russia–Ukraine and Israel–Hamas conflicts have revealed concrete real-world uses and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on contemporary battlefields. By scoping the current applications of AI, this chapter analyses the developments and challenges AI systems pose to compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) and related accountability frameworks. The chapter develops five key areas for recommended further research: (1) review and verification; (2) the role of private actors; (3) human-machine interaction; (4) targeting patterns; and (5) enemy adaptation. Adopting a technology-focused analysis, this chapter underscores the legal and operational implications of AI-enabled military capabilities, calling for nuanced frameworks to mitigate emerging risks.