Experts Discuss the Humanitarian and Societal Impact of Military Cyber Operations

At an online workshop, around 30 cyber experts discussed the humanitarian and societal impact of military cyber operations.

Aimed at mapping risk and protection needs in the context of contemporary military cyber capabilities, the workshop notably addressed the potential human cost of cyber operations, societal risks of cyber operations, and military cyber operations during armed conflicts.

The First Phase of a Research Project on the Digitalization of Armed Conflict

This workshop is one of the first steps of a research project – carried out jointly with the International Committee of the Red Cross –on the humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts.

Via a multi-disciplinary approach that takes into consideration the interrelated technical, military, ethical, policy, legal and humanitarian aspects, the research will assess the continued relevance of international law, especially international humanitarian law (IHL), in this context. Ultimately – and depending on the findings – it will develop law and policy recommendations aiming to mitigate the identified risks and address new protection needs.

From Cyber Technologies to the Use of AI in a Military Context

‘We start by looking at questions related to cyber technologies in a military context and their potential humanitarian consequences and protection needs for conflict-affected populations. At this stage, our objective is to get the facts right and ask the right questions’ explains Robin Geiss, Swiss IHL Chair at the Geneva Academy.

‘Subsequent workshops will discuss questions related to artificial intelligence (AI) and will notably address AI-supported decision-making processes during armed conflicts. Again, in the first instance the objective will be to gather technical expertise and to start an informed discussion on that basis’ he adds.

Hand with tattoo point on the cyber table

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Professor Marco Sassoli during an IHL class at the Geneva Academy News

Geneva Academy Professor presents to OSCE Member States Report on Violations of IHL in the Armed Conflict in Ukraine

13 April 2022

Professor Sassòli was in charge of the IHL part of the report that was presented on 13 April by the three experts to the OSCE Permanent Council. 

Read more

LLM Students during a class News

Less than a Month Left to Apply to our LLM and MAS in Transitional Justice

31 January 2022

While applications with a scholarship for our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law just closed, interested candidates can still apply until 25 February without a scholarship.

Read more

Somalia, explosion of a bomb in the Mogadishu's market place. Short Course

The Classification of Armed Conflicts

Spring 2023

This short course, which can be followed in Geneva or online, provides an in-depth study of an emblematic example of the complexity of international humanitarian law and the challenges it raises: the classification of armed conflicts.

Read more

Syria, destroyed building and ambulance Short Course

Basic Principles of International Humanitarian Law

Fall 2022

This short course examines the sources of international humanitarian law and provides an introduction to its key principles and terminology.

Read more

Mine Project

Business, Human Rights and Conflict-Affected Regions

Started in July 2021

This project aims to further identify and clarify policies and practices for States and business, including public and private investors, across the full ‘conflict cycle’ and the ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Read more

A session of the UN Human Rights Committtee at Palais Wilson Project

Implementing International Humanitarian Law Through Human Rights Mechanisms

Completed in April 2019

This project examined how IHL could be more systematically, appropriately and correctly dealt with by the human rights mechanisms emanating from the UN Charter, as well as from universal and regional treaties.

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