New Technologies affecting the International Peace and Security - Security Council Briefing

The UN top political affairs official and two experts told the Security Council how new technologies are affecting the international peace and security situation and how the UN can respond to the situation. Addressing the Council on Monday (23 May), the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, noted the number of State- and non-State-sponsored incidents of malicious use of digital technologies for political or military ends has nearly quadrupled since 2015. For DiCarlo, “of specific concern is activity targeting infrastructure that provides essential public services, such as health and humanitarian agencies.” About the issue of lethal autonomous weapons, DiCarlo remembered the words of the Secretary-General, saying that “machines with the power and discretion to take lives without human involvement are politically unacceptable, morally repugnant, and should be prohibited by international law.” The UN political affairs chief also informed that “non-state actors are becoming increasingly adept at using low-cost and widely available digital technologies to pursue their agendas.” “Groups such as ISIL and Al-Qaida remain active on social media, using platforms and messaging applications to share information and communicate with followers for the purposes of recruitment, planning and fundraising,” DiCarlo said. According to Under-Secretary-General, the increasing availability of digital payment methods such as cryptocurrencies brings additional challenges In terms of human rights, DiCarlo noted “major concerns” including artificial intelligence systems that may be discriminatory and the increasing use of internet shutdowns.


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