UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security

The Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security is UNIDIR’s global, permanent platform dedicated to advancing AI governance in the peace and security domain. Based in Geneva, it brings together research, dialogue and capacity-building to support more effective and inclusive approaches to the challenges AI presents.

As AI moves rapidly from development into real-world application, including in military and security settings, the need for shared insight and coordinated engagement is becoming more urgent. Launched in 2026, the centre connects a wide range of stakeholders from around the world to strengthen understanding, foster collaboration, and help turn global discussions on AI and security into practical outcomes.

Join the Centre’s Forum

The Forum brings together governments, industry, international organizations, academia and civil society to exchange perspectives, build connections and foster collaboration.

Participation is open to stakeholders committed to engaging on key issues in AI, peace and security.

Help shape the conversation

Strengthening global governance of AI

AI is increasingly shaping military affairs and wider security dynamics, with significant implications for international peace, civilian protection and global stability. Yet despite growing policy attention, current governance efforts remain fragmented and uneven across regions and policy domains.

UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security responds directly to this gap. As a Geneva-based platform, the centre aims to strengthen responsible AI in peace and security by:

Consolidating knowledge and expertise
Enabling structured dialogue among key stakeholders
Supporting translation of principles into practice

At a time when no single forum provides comprehensive, continuous coverage of AI’s security implications, UNIDIR’s centre offers a sustained, neutral and inclusive home for this critical conversation.

Our focus

AI in the military domain

Including issues related to command and control, autonomous weapons, human-machine interfaces and compliance with international law.

AI and global security

Including issues related to peace operations and crisis-management, cyber, disinformation, weapons of mass destruction and counter-proliferation.

Cross-cutting governance issues

Such as dual-use challenges, testing and evaluation, standards, transparency, data governance and human rights.

Our approach

Provide impartial analysis, foresight and synthesis to support policymakers and practitioners. This includes horizon scanning, mapping of trends and gaps and the curation of relevant research and good practices.

Provide a stable and neutral space for inclusive engagement among governments, industry, academia and civil society through expert processes, policy exchanges, and multistakeholder forums that sustain momentum between major summits and UN processes.

Support practical implementation through training, capacity-building and development of operational guidance and toolkits that help translate commitments into practice.

Key initiatives

Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics

Flagship event exploring how fast-evolving AI technologies are reshaping national, regional and global security.

Learn more

Roundtable for AI, Security and Ethics

A neutral, trusted, independent platform for inclusive, cross-regional, multisectoral engagement.

Learn more

AI Policy Portal

An interactive map of global AI policies and initiatives, supporting transparency, information sharing and capacity-building.

Learn more

Framework of Responsible Industry Behaviour for AI in the Military Domain

Practical and actionable voluntary guidelines for industry in the field of AI in the military domain.

Learn more

Complementing, not duplicating

UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security is designed to complement — not duplicate — existing initiatives by:

Providing continuity between time-limited policy processes
Linking military, security and governance perspectives
Lowering participation barriers for developing and emerging economies
Helping move from principles toward operational solutions

Today, no global security issue is more
urgent than AI, and especially military AI.
Put simply, are we going to let
machines target and kill humans?

Robin Geiss UNIDIR Director

Watch the briefing

Engage with us

The Centre and its activities are led and managed by UNIDIR, with expert input provided by an advisory council and continuous multistakeholder engagement enabled by a consultative forum.

Together, these mechanisms help ensure that the Centre’s work is informed by a diverse range of perspectives from government, industry, academia, civil society and international organizations.

Leadership

Robin Geiss

Director (D-2, Germany)

Provides strategic direction, mobilizes resources, and leads UNIDIR across the full range of its initiatives.

unidir-directorate@un.org

Dr Robin Geiss is the Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). He was appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres and assumed the post in April 2021. He brings to the position over 20 years of experience in peace, security and international affairs. Previously, he served as tenured Professor and Director of the Glasgow Centre for International Law and Security at the University of Glasgow. He was also the Swiss Chair of International Humanitarian Law at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and Visiting Professor at the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po, Paris. Dr Geiss has served as Legal Adviser and delegate to the UN Human Rights Council for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and he is an ex officio member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters.