State dossier
United States
USA · UNITED STATES · board row present
What does this state want?
Coded CCW-ONLY: Supports the CCW/GGE consensus process only, no stated outcome position.
REG-SOFT since 2023-02-16, EXPLICIT
Supports new non-binding measures.
The United States launched the non-binding Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy as its preferred new international measure, anchored in existing international humanitarian law.
The US-led non-binding declaration anchors military AI use in existing international humanitarian law.
use of AI in armed conflict must be in accord with States' obligations under international humanitarian law, including its fundamental principles
Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, 2023-02-16 source
CCW-ONLY since 2025-11-04, EXPLICIT
Supports the CCW/GGE consensus process only, no stated outcome position.
In its First Committee explanation of vote (US Mission to International Organizations in Geneva, 4 November 2025) the United States explained its No vote on the LAWS resolution (L.41) as a defense of the CCW consensus track: it strongly supports the CCW and the Group of Governmental Experts, encourages a consensus outcome in 2026, and objects to the parallel UNGA resolution specifically at preambular paragraph 7 and operative paragraph 3. The stated core is venue preference, not opposition to a new instrument as such - the statement expressly frames the CCW track as working "on a future instrument and other measures." This supersedes the earlier provisional OPPOSE coding (see flags: correction).
In its explanation of vote the US did not support and voted against the LAWS resolution.
the United States does not support L.41, the LAWS resolution, and voted against it
80th session of the UNGA First Committee, Cluster 4, Conventional Weapons: United States statement, 2025-11-04 source
The US framed its No as support for the CCW track working toward a future instrument, not opposition to a new instrument.
with a view to further deliberations and consensus among the CCW High Contracting Parties on a future instrument and other measures
80th session of the UNGA First Committee, Cluster 4, Conventional Weapons: United States statement, 2025-11-04 source
The US objection to the UNGA resolution was specific to two paragraphs, not to a new instrument as such.
the United States is deeply concerned about preambular paragraph 7 and operative paragraph 3
80th session of the UNGA First Committee, Cluster 4, Conventional Weapons: United States statement, 2025-11-04 source
The US stated strong support for the CCW GGE on lethal autonomous weapons systems.
this includes the ongoing work of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on emerging technologies in the area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
80th session of the UNGA First Committee, Cluster 4, Conventional Weapons: United States statement, 2025-11-04 source
The US objects to the parallel UN General Assembly regulatory track for military AI and autonomy.
the creation of a new regulatory process under UN auspices would be inappropriate and undermine efforts to strengthen international peace and security
Resolution 79/239 Artificial Intelligence in the military domain: Submission by the United States of America, 2025-03-31 source
The US frames autonomy as a weapon-system capability governed by existing IHL classifications.
autonomy is a capability of the weapon system. This understanding means that LAWS fall under existing classifications in IHL
The Autonomy Aspect of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (CCW/GGE.1/2025/WP.6), 2025-09-02 source
The US contemplates a future instrument or other measures within the CCW work.
any future instrument or other possible measures will need a common understanding of what systems are covered to be effective
The Autonomy Aspect of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (CCW/GGE.1/2025/WP.6), 2025-09-02 source
Shift: REG-SOFT → CCW-ONLY 2025-11-04
The US framed its No vote as support for the CCW track working toward a future instrument.
with a view to further deliberations and consensus among the CCW High Contracting Parties on a future instrument and other measures
80th session of the UNGA First Committee, Cluster 4, Conventional Weapons: United States statement, 2025-11-04 source
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How did it vote?
Votes: Yes, Yes, No across the three resolutions.
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What has it signed?
Membership is fact, not opposition.
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When is it on the record?
The engagement cadence, dated.
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What has it written down at home?
National doctrine.
Government eras (context, never a signal): Obama administration, 2009 to 2017 Trump administration, 2017 to 2021 Biden administration, 2021 to 2025 Trump administration, since 2025
- 2023-01-25 · DoD Directive 3000.09, Autonomy in Weapon Systemscore doctrine, filled marker · source
DoD Directive 3000.09, Autonomy in Weapon Systems
Current version issued 2023-01-25; the original issued November 2012. The canonical PDF blocks tool fetches; quotes verified via official reproductions in the US submission to A/79/88 and the ICRC casebook.
US doctrine requires design for appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force.
Autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems will be designed to allow commanders and operators to exercise appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force.
DoD Directive 3000.09, Autonomy in Weapon Systems, 2023-01-25 source
Supersession history; the directive was issued November 2012 and updated January 2023.
issuing DoD Directive 3000.09, titled Autonomy in Weapon Systems, in November 2012 and updating it in January 2023
Resolution 78/241 Lethal autonomous weapons systems: Submission of the United States of America, 2024-05-25 source
The record
The documents on file.
Each mark opens its source