AI Law and Governance

CIL Contributes to New West Point Manual on International Law Applicable to Artificial Intelligence in Warfare

The Centre for International Law (CIL) is contributing to the development of a new international manual titled The West Point Manual on International Law Applicable to Artificial Intelligence in Warfare. This initiative aims to clarify how international law applies to the use of artificial intelligence across a wide range of military and security contexts, particularly in relation to autonomous systems, decision-support tools, and AI-enabled cyber capabilities.

The project is co-led by Professor Michael N. Schmitt and Professor Sean Watts at the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare, of the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is with the support of an international consortium of experts and institutions including the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore.

Unlike previous manuals that focused on the broader field of cyber operations, this initiative centres specifically on the legal implications of AI in warfare. It will address how existing international legal frameworks, particularly international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and the law of state responsibility, apply to novel AI-enabled capabilities. Topics include issues of accountability, attribution, and liability, raised by autonomous decision-making and machine learning in armed conflict.

CIL's involvement underscores our engagement in regional and global discussions on emerging technologies and the law; and leadership in shaping global AI governance and legal norms in armed conflict. The Manual is expected to be published in 2028 and will serve as a key reference for legal advisers, military planners, technologists, and policymakers confronting the growing complexity of AI in contemporary and future warfare.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• 2026 CIL Singapore Event – Regional Workshop co-hosted with the Lieber Institute for Law and Land Warfare, University of Reading, and regional stakeholders.
• Proposed NUS 2026 Declaration on AI and International Law
• West Point Manual on International Law Applicable to Artificial Intelligence in Warfare (2028)

CIL Contributing Team

Dr Samuel White, Danielle Yeow, Dr Jon Truby and Ayma Naseem represent CIL’s contribution to the Manual.

For further information, please contact Dr Samuel White on samwhite@nus.edu.sg
For media enquiries, please contact Gerry Ng on cilnwfg@nus.edu.sg