Event information

29 October 2020, 10:00-12:00

Launch Event: Joint Initiative on the Digitalization of Conflict

Event

Computer code Computer code

This panel discussion marks the Launch of our New Research Initiative, which will be carried out jointly by our Swiss IHL Chair Robin Geiß and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Digital technologies are set to revolutionize the ways wars are fought. Technological advances in the fields of cyberspace and artificial intelligence will have far-reaching and not yet fully understood consequences for future humanitarian protection needs and the humanitarian legal framework at large.

Against this backdrop, our panelists will explore and discuss the rapidly evolving digitalization of armed conflicts.

Moderator

  • Gloria Gaggioli, Director, Geneva Academy and Associate Professor, University of Geneva

Panelists

  • Robin Geiß, Swiss IHL Chair, Geneva Academy and Professor of International Law and Security, University of Glasgow
  • Laurent Gisel, Head of the Arms and Conduct of Hostilities Unit, Legal Division, ICRC
  • Chelsey Slack, Deputy Head, Cyber Defence Section Emerging Security Challenges Division, NATO Headquarters
  • Kerstin Vignard, Head, UNIDIR Support Team to General Assembly processes pursuant to resolutions 73/27 and 73/266

Online

This event will take online on the platform Zoom.

Registration

To follow the event online, register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Asking Questions to Panelists

Please use the Zoom chat function to ask your questions, the moderator will make a selection of questions at the end of the presentations. There will be no possibility to interact by webcam and microphone in order to avoid connection issues.

Video

Launch Event: Joint Initiative on the Digitalization of Conflict

Digital technologies are set to revolutionize the ways wars are fought. Technological advances in the fields of cyberspace and artificial intelligence will have far-reaching and not yet fully understood consequences for future humanitarian protection needs and the humanitarian legal framework at large. Against this backdrop, our panelists explored and discussed the rapidly evolving digitalization of armed conflicts and presented our new research on this issue.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Francesca Gortan, Sarah Surget and Sophie Timmermans during a simulation at Pictet 2022 News

Our Team at Pictet: Much More than Reaching the Final

11 April 2022

During one week, Francesca Gortan, Sarah Surget and Sophie Timmermans represented the Geneva Academy at the 38th Edition of the Jean-Pictet Competition that took place in Durrës, Albania, from 19 to 26 March.

Read more

Glasses before a computerm screen News

Mapping the Societal Risks and Potential Humanitarian Impact of Cyber Operations

27 June 2022

Our new Working Paper Societal Risks and Potential Humanitarian Impact of Cyber Operations provides an up-to-date assessment of existing risks and protection needs in light of contemporary and future military cyber capabilities.

Read more

Short Course

The Law of Non-International Armed Conflicts

Spring 2023

This short course, which can be followed in Geneva or online, discusses the protection offered by international humanitarian law (IHL) in non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) and addresses some problems and controversies specific to IHL of NIACs, including the difficulty to ensure the respect of IHL by armed non-state actors.

Read more

The UN Security Council Short Course

Introduction to Public International Law and Subjects of the International Legal Order

Fall 2022

This short course, which can be followed in Geneva or online, focuses on the role of public international law in international relations and on international legal persons.

Read more

A wheelchair completely destroyed after the bombing of a civilian area Project

Disability and Armed Conflict

Completed in May 2016

This project aimed to ensure better protection of and assistance for persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict or its aftermath by identifying legal obligations to protect and assist persons with disabilities during conflict, and the policies and practices required to put these obligations into effect.

Read more

Screen Shot of Obsolete, a game made for the 7DFPS project in 7 days. Download for PC and Mac Project

Disruptive Military Technologies

Started in February 2020

This project aims at staying abreast of the various military technology trends; promoting legal and policy debate on new military technologies; and furthering the understanding of the convergent effects of different technological trends shaping the digital battlefield of the future.

Read more

Cover of the Publication Publication

The Future Digital Battlefield and Challenges for Humanitarian Protection: A Primer

published on April 2022

Henning Lahmann

Read more