Does AI Have the License to Kill?

Autonomous weapon systems are rapidly reshaping the tempo and character of modern conflict, raising profound questions about whether international humanitarian law can keep pace with machines capable of making life‑and‑death decisions at machine speed. As AI‑enabled systems evolve from human‑in‑the‑loop tools to fully autonomous platforms, long‑standing legal principles face unprecedented strain. With global powers divided between regulating, prohibiting, or accelerating these technologies, the future of warfare now hinges on whether the international community can craft meaningful governance before autonomy outpaces accountability.