Weapon systems including autonomous features or functions and the intended military task to be resolved require contextual review. To determine compliance/non-compliance with IHL of LAWS for the given task in certain circumstances, three interlinked key elements should be studied in all phases of preparation and planning:
1) Technological capability of the system; i.e., the level of autonomous reasoning or analysis that the system is capable of performing, especially in relation to the assessment of critical IHL factors.
2) Context; as stated above, most questions will require context sensitive analysis, producing context sensitive answers.
3) Task definition; taking into account the technological capabilities and contextual requirements, the task definition phase that sets limits and constraints to the functioning of the weapon in all dimensions (“box-of-operation”) is the critical moment for ensuring that all IHL and mission specific requirements will be met.
Elements for possible consensus recommendations: Contribution by Finland (June 2021)
