Kenya secures hosting rights for REAIM summit 2027

Kenya's upcoming hosting of the 4th Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in Nairobi in April 2027 marks a pivotal moment for global discourse on artificial intelligence in security and defence. This article examines the profound legal implications of military AI, particularly autonomous weapons systems (AWS), under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL). It highlights critical challenges such as the accountability gap, the imperative for meaningful human control, and the need for robust international and national legal frameworks. The summit offers a unique platform for Kenya and the African continent to champion an Africa-centric approach to AI governance, emphasizing human dignity and peace in the face of rapidly advancing military technologies.

Kenya is set to host the 4th Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in Nairobi in April 2027, an announcement made by Ambassador Philip Thigo, President William Ruto’s Special Envoy on Technology. This significant development places Kenya, and by extension the African continent, at the forefront of global discussions concerning the responsible development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in security and defence. The summit will convene global leaders and experts, providing a crucial forum to address the complex ethical, legal, and operational challenges posed by AI in military applications.

The decision to host REAIM 2027 underscores Kenya's growing influence in digital governance and its commitment to shaping international norms around emerging technologies. For legal professionals, this event signals an urgent need to grapple with the evolving legal landscape of AI in warfare, which challenges traditional interpretations of international law and raises profound questions about accountability, human control, and the protection of fundamental rights. This article will delve into the existing legal frameworks, identify key challenges, and explore the unique contributions that Kenya and Africa can bring to this critical global dialogue.

The REAIM Summit series originated from concerns over the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into military operations, with the inaugural event co-hosted by the Netherlands and South Korea in February 2023 in The Hague. Subsequent summits have taken place in Seoul (September 2024) and are planned for A Coruña, Spain (February 2026), all aiming to strengthen global awareness and understanding of responsible military AI, support policymakers, and contribute to future discussions at the United Nations General Assembly. The summits are structured around three interconnected clusters: technical foundations, real-world applications, and governance, with a focus on translating principles into actionable guidance.

The international legal framework governing the use of force, primarily International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL), forms the bedrock for assessing military AI. Key IHL principles such as distinction, proportionality, precaution in attack, and the Martens Clause are central to these discussions. The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) provides the main United Nations arms control framework where the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (GGE on LAWS) has been examining legal, ethical, societal, and moral questions since 2014. In February 2023, the “Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy” was launched at REAIM 2023, aiming to build international consensus and guide states' development and use of military AI.

Within the African context, the African Union (AU) adopted its Continental AI Strategy in July 2024, which emphasizes ethical, inclusive, and human rights-guided AI development, and calls for an African Common Position on AI. The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights provides a robust foundation for rights-based AI governance, addressing concerns such as mass surveillance, discrimination, and violations of privacy and dignity. Kenya itself has demonstrated a proactive approach to AI governance, with its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025-2030) and the Digital Economy Blueprint (2019) aiming to position the country as an AI leader in Africa, focusing on ethical innovation, accountability, and integration of AI in priority sectors.

The deployment of AI in the military domain, particularly through autonomous weapons systems (AWS), presents unprecedented challenges to existing international legal frameworks. A primary concern is the 'accountability gap,' where the increasing autonomy of these systems makes it difficult to attribute responsibility for violations of IHL. Traditional frameworks of command responsibility, designed for human decision-making, struggle to apply when algorithms make targeting decisions, raising questions about whether states, military commanders, or even private developers should be held liable for unintended harm or errors. The opacity of modern AI further complicates tracing responsibility, undermining both deterrence and enforcement.

Central to the legal debate is the concept of 'meaningful human control' (MHC). While IHL does not explicitly prohibit autonomous weapons, its core obligations implicitly require human judgment to ensure compliance with principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other human rights organizations advocate for humans to maintain oversight over crucial functions like target selection and engagement. The UN Secretary-General has called for a legally binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) that function without human control or oversight and cannot comply with IHL, while regulating other types of autonomous weapons.

Beyond IHL, AWS raise significant concerns under international human rights law. The potential for AI systems to perpetuate biases, engage in mass surveillance, and make life-and-death decisions without human intervention infringes upon fundamental rights, including the right to life, privacy, dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. The unpredictability of AI in complex operational environments, such as urban warfare, further exacerbates these risks, as systems may not adapt quickly to changing situations or adequately distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Discussions within the CCW GGE on LAWS have made progress towards a possible legally binding instrument, exploring a two-tiered approach involving prohibitions on certain LAWS and regulations for others. Article 36 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions mandates states to conduct legal reviews of new weapons, means, or methods of warfare to ensure their compliance with international law, a principle that is increasingly critical for AI-enabled systems. The ongoing deliberations aim to develop clear standards for the development, deployment, and accountability of AI-enabled weapon systems, emphasizing the need for international cooperation.

Kenya's role as host provides a unique opportunity to infuse an African perspective into these global discussions. The African Union's emphasis on human dignity, non-domination, and peace, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, offers a valuable framework for ethical AI governance. By leveraging its National AI Strategy and Digital Economy Blueprint, Kenya can advocate for frameworks that not only address the technical and legal aspects but also ensure that AI development serves inclusive development goals and resists digital authoritarianism, thereby shaping global norms from a Global South perspective.

The REAIM Summit in Nairobi in 2027 represents a critical juncture for the international community to collectively address the profound legal and ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the military domain. For legal practitioners, the rapid advancement of military AI necessitates a deep engagement with evolving interpretations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, particularly concerning the accountability gap and the imperative for meaningful human control over lethal force. The absence of a comprehensive, legally binding international framework for autonomous weapons systems underscores the urgency of these discussions.

Kenya's hosting of this summit provides an invaluable platform to champion an Africa-centric approach, emphasizing human dignity, peace, and inclusive development in the governance of military AI. Practitioners should closely monitor the outcomes of the ongoing UN CCW Group of Governmental Experts on LAWS, the further development of the African Union's common position on AI, and the specific proposals and declarations emerging from REAIM 2027. Proactive engagement in shaping national legislation, ethical guidelines, and international norms will be essential to ensure that technological innovation in warfare remains consistent with humanitarian values and international legal obligations, safeguarding humanity's control over the future of conflict.