Drones, algorithms and swarm technology
What seemed futuristic until recently is already becoming a reality on the battlefield. But how significant is this change really? How far have we come by 2026? And what happens when we leave more and more wartime decisions to systems that we do not always fully understand?
Key questions
- Who is responsible when an AI system makes a mistake?
- How much human control should remain over life-and-death decisions?
- Can the existing rules of international humanitarian law adequately regulate these new technologies?
A look at the technological (r)evolution
This lecture explores where we stand today, the technological and military developments taking shape, and the major societal and ethical questions they raise. This is not science fiction, but a look at a technological (r)evolution that is already unfolding, and at the choices we need to make as a society about how far we are willing to go.
Programme
- 7.00 pm | Doors open
-
7.30 pm | Welcome and introduction
by Erik De Bom, Director of UCSIA -
7.40 pm | Lecture: ‘AI in war: (Not) a good idea?’
by Ann-Katrien Oimann, Assistant Professor of AI Governance and Ethics at Tilburg University and reservist with the Belgian Armed Forces -
8.25 pm | Response
by Robin Vanderborght, Researcher at the Flemish Peace Institute - 8.40 pm | Questions from the audience
- 9.00 pm | End
About Ann-Katrien Oimann
Ann-Katrien Oimann is Assistant Professor of AI Governance and Ethics at Tilburg University and a reservist with the Belgian Armed Forces. She obtained her PhD from KU Leuven and the Royal Military Academy with a dissertation on moral responsibility for autonomous weapon systems.
Her research focuses on the use of AI in the military domain, with particular attention to the ethical and legal challenges surrounding autonomous systems and AI in defence. Working at the intersection of AI, ethics, defence and law, she advises on AI and defence policy. She also contributes to public debate by providing expert commentary on these developments.
About Robin Vanderborght
Robin Vanderborght studied law at the universities of Antwerp and Lyon, and international relations and diplomacy at the University of Antwerp.
After completing his studies, Robin undertook an internship at the Belgian Permanent Representation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna.
He then returned to the University of Antwerp, where he worked as a doctoral researcher on a PhD dissertation examining the legitimization of nuclear weapons and other military applications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence. After obtaining his PhD, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher and visiting lecturer at the same university.
Since August 2026, Robin has been working as a researcher at the Flemish Peace Institute. His research there focuses primarily on dual-use technologies, rising defence spending, arms exports and non-proliferation.
The UCSIA Peace Chair
How can we work towards a safer and more stable world, in Europe and beyond? The UCSIA Peace Chair seeks answers to this question and promotes research into a new security architecture. Each year, the Chair explores a pressing societal issue in greater depth through public lectures, round-table discussions or seminars.
The Chair is an initiative of UCSIA, in close collaboration with the Department of Political Science at the University of Antwerp and Pax Christi Flanders.
