INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW IN THE ERA OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

Abstract. The rapid development and application of artificial intelligence raise fundamental questions for both International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, particularly regarding accountability, transparency, human control, the protection of fundamental rights, and the principles governing the conduct of warfare. The global regulatory mechanism for AI remains fragmented and underdeveloped, creating legal uncertainty and potential accountability gaps. The purpose of this article is to analyze the main risks AI poses to human rights and to the rules governing armed conflicts, and to consider the main regulatory frameworks in these spheres from an international legal standpoint.

The authors conclude that there is no single universal treaty governing the protection of human rights in the era of AI. At the universal level, the risks and benefits of AI for human rights have been the subject of reports by various UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UNESCO. The UN General Assembly, UNESCO, and other universal international organizations adopted relevant resolutions and recommendations, but these instruments constitute soft law and do not have binding force. The first legally binding document in the sphere of AI and human rights – the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law – is a regional treaty and has several drawbacks. Although the European Court of Human Rights has dealt with cases related to data protection and digital technologies that may violate the right to privacy, it has not had the opportunity to analyze the direct effects of AI on human rights in those cases. The Artificial Intelligence Act adopted by the European Union is not an instrument specifically addressing human rights. On the other hand, this Regulation imposes obligations (including sanctions) on AI providers and establishes the structure of implementing and control bodies at the EU and national levels of Member States, which ensure the provision of a safe and ethically healthy environment, thereby creating the preconditions for the protection of human rights.

Lethal autonomous weapon systems that can select and attack targets without human intervention pose serious challenges for International Humanitarian Law. The use of LAWS may breach its main principles: distinction, military necessity, proportionality, precautions in attack, and humanity. The author concludes that there is no single universal treaty governing the conduct of warfare in the era of AI. The UN General Assembly adopted a special resolution on this matter; the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons adopted a set of eleven guiding principles, but they constitute soft law and do not have binding force for states. Meanwhile, some organizations called for a new international treaty that would set out specific prohibitions and restrictions on LAWS. It is a matter for future negotiations between states and within international organizations on whether to adopt a new legally binding instrument on such weapons and, if so, in what form. In any case, the current legal framework – conventions and protocols, which are the main sources of International Humanitarian Law – is not enough to govern new weapons developed through AI technologies.

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Received: 02.02.26 / Revised: 16.02.26 / Accepted: 18.03.26 / Published:30.03.26