Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2026 → UNIDIR

UNIDIR’s Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2026 (#AISE26) brought together a wide range of stakeholders – including diplomats, policymakers, academia, civil society, industry and research laboratories – to examine the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for international peace and security.

With AI systems rapidly evolving, their governance sits at the forefront of global policy agendas. AI is no longer a frontier question: its development, deployment and use actively shape national, regional and global security environments. As such, policymakers and regulators increasingly recognize the need for shared understandings, norms, coordinated approaches and cross-border cooperation.

Recent milestones – including General Assembly resolution 79/239, the Secretary-General’s report on AI in the military domain and resolution 80/58 – mark a shift toward implementation, practical measures and sustained engagement among States and stakeholders. As innovation accelerates across governments, industry and research institutions, aligning technological development with policy frameworks has become essential. The coming years will be pivotal in defining the trajectory of AI governance in the security domain and ensuring it remains grounded in international law, existing norms and responsible practice.

In this context, UNIDIR convened the Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics 2026. Building on the success of the 2025 inaugural event and the work of the Roundtable for AI, Security and Ethics, the conference brought together diplomats and policymakers, as well as experts from the military, industry, academia, civil society and research labs.

Aiming to bridge technical and policy communities and strengthen cooperative approaches to AI-related security challenges, the conference agenda drew on global submissions aiming to advance technology solutions, governance frameworks, and practical use-cases for AI security and ethics. Together, the multi-stakeholder community addressed the complex implications of AI for national, regional and global security and resilience. The conference was held consecutively to the 2026 informal exchanges on AI in the military domain in Geneva, pursuant to resolution 80/58.