The civil society forum 'Action at the Crossroads' is taking place in Vienna, Austria on 28 April 2024. The forum will feature a blend of interactive and immersive activities, panel discussions, and lightning talks, for and by, those working to ensure human control in the use of force through the development of new international law on autonomous weapons.
Event details:
- Venue: Palais Wertheim, Vienna, Austria
- Date: Sunday, 28 April 2024
- Time: 10:00 - 19:00 CEST
The programme will include a “Spotlight Series” featuring lightning talks from youth delegates
To attend the civil society forum Action at the Crossroads, please visit the link below to register.
Action at the Crossroads will consist of four concurrent program streams in different areas in the venue:
This stream offers an interactive and immersive experience that explores creative expressions of activism, and the many ways campaigners can attract and mobilise public interest in the autonomous weapons issue. Elements will include panel discussions, the ‘Automated by Design’ exhibition on digital dehumanisation, a poster exhibition featuring artwork promoting Stop Killer Robots' ‘Immoral Code’ film, an immersive VR experience, and a photo opportunity with a ‘friendly robot campaigner’.
Stream 2 will include a series of panels exploring the foundational issues of autonomous weapons. It will highlight systems of concern and precursor weapons; consider existing use cases or scenario exercises; and reflect on opportunities and challenges in monitoring and reporting on the development and use of weapon systems with autonomy.
This stream will include panels and workshops discussing where autonomous weapons fall on the spectrum of digital dehumanisation (the process by which human beings are reduced to data which is then used to make decisions and/or take actions that negatively affects their lives) and automated harm. Other topics explored will include the ethical and moral issues of machines making life and death decisions, and why it is essential to secure a prohibition on machines that can target people.
Stream 4 will focus on building advocacy plans to inspire political leadership, to mobilise public and civil society, and set expectations for critical multilateral milestones in 2024. Sessions will consider effective parliamentary engagement as well as leveraging governmental conferences and the Secretary-General’s consultation to make concrete advancements toward new international law on autonomous weapons systems.
The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs will host the international conference “Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation”
Event details
- Venue: Hofburg Palace in Vienna
- Date: 29-30 April 2024
- Time: 10:00-18:00 CEST
- Organizer:The Austrian Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs
The aim of the conference is to increase international awareness of the topic of Autonomous Weapons Systems and their legal, moral, ethical and security policy challenges, as well as to build momentum and underscore the urgency for the creation of an international legal and normative framework.
Programme
The preliminary conference programme can be found here.
Participation and Registration
Civil society representatives (including Parliamentarians, Industry, NGOs, and Academics/Scientists) and media are encouraged to attend and can register for the conference here. The registration deadline is 19 April 2024.
The Austrian MFA will confirm registration and attendance details directly.