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In this episode, as part of our series on AWS, legal review & IHL, we speak with Netta Goussac & Laura Bruun about their recently released SIPRI report on IHL & AWS, asking questions about what IHL permits, prohibits & requires in the design, development & use of AWS.

Netta Goussac is a Special Counsel with Lexbridge (a legal practice & consultancy specialising in public international law). She has worked as an international lawyer for over a decade, including for the ICRC & the Australian Government’s Office of International Law. Netta has expertise in legal frameworks related to the development, acquisition & transfer of weapons. Netta has provided legal & policy advice related to new technologies of warfare, including AWS, military applications of AI & cyber & space security, including as a researcher with the SIPRI.

Laura Bruun is a Researcher in the Governance of AI Programme at SIPRI. Her focus is on how emerging military technologies, notably AWS & military AI, affect compliance with—& interpretation of—IHL. Laura has a background in Middle Eastern Studies (University of Copenhagen) and International Security & Law (University of Southern Denmark). Laura worked at, among others, Airwars in London, where she monitored & assessed civilian casualty reports from US & Russian airstrikes in Syria & Iraq. 

Additional Resources: 

• Netta & Laura's report, Compliance with International Humanitarian Law in the Development and Use of Autonomous Weapon Systems: What does IHL Permit, Prohibit and Require?  published by SIPRI
• The SIPRI publication series on AWS, including the development of autonomy, human control & accountability & Article 36 Reviews
• The Asser Institute's podcast, Lethal Autonomous Weapons: 10 things we want to know
• UNIDIR publications, including Gender Bias and the 'Black Box'.
• ICRC's Position on Autonomous Weapons Systems here; see also their factsheet & video
• Dustin Lewis, A Key Set of IHL Questions concerning AI-supported Decision-making, in 51 Collegium
• Jaan Kross, Professor Martens' Departure, 1