ODA

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs

9
Activities on AI
15
Countries

About ODA

UNODA supports the development and implementation of practical disarmament measures after a conflict, such as disarming and demobilizing former combatants and helping them to reintegrate in civil society.

Activities by ODA

UN Secretariat - ODAUN - Other
Addressing artificial intelligence and biosecurity challenges & opportunities under the Biological Weapons Convention
Global Not Applicable

This activity supports strategic engagement on the implications of artificial intelligence for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). As AI increasingly intersects with the life sciences, it is becoming more important for States Parties to understand how such developments may shape biological research and development, influence the risk landscape, and raise new governance and implementation questions under the Convention. The activity responds to this need by fostering informed dialogue, generating policy-relevant analysis, and helping translate technical developments into structured, accessible and policy-relevant inputs for multilateral discussion under the BWC. It places particular emphasis on issues such as AI-enabled biological design tools, dual-use implications, responsible governance, and the need for effective and forward-looking science and technology review. In doing so, it contributes to strengthening understanding of how the Convention may remain responsive to emerging technological change in a timely, informed and policy-relevant manner.

Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/Advocacy
UN Secretariat - ODA
Report of the Secretary-General on Developments in Science and Technology and their Potential Impact on International Security and Disarmament Efforts
Global Not Applicable

Each year, the General Assembly requests the Secretary-General to report on current developments in science and technology and their potential impact on international security and disarmament efforts, including on developments related to AI. This mandate is also contained in Action 27(e) of the Pact of the Future. The most recent report has been issued as document A/80/237.

Activity Type Research/Reports/Assessments
UN Secretariat - DGCUN Secretariat - ODAUN - Other
Sci-fAI Futures Youth Challenge
Global Republic of KoreaNot Applicable

With support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, Youth4Disarmament launched the Sci-fAI Futures Youth Challenge in May 2024. This creative science-fiction storytelling challenge engaged young people to explore the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for peace and security. The project ended in September 2025, its outputs remain available at the link below.

Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsAwareness/Advocacy
UN Secretariat - ODA
Report of the Secretary-General on artificial intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security
Global Not Applicable

As requested by United Nations General Assembly resolution 79/239, the Secretary-General submitted a report (A/80/78) to the 80th session of the General Assembly on the opportunities and challenges posed to international peace and security by the application of artificial intelligence in the military domain, with specific focus on areas other than lethal autonomous weapons systems, based on the views of Member States and observer States. Views of international and regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, civil society, the scientific community and industry were also included in the annex to the report.

Activity Type Research/Reports/Assessments