the governance gap: arms control and AI
The major arms control treaties of the twentieth century were drafted before the age of AI. These arms control treaties did not imagine AI to emerge, much less endure in the forms in which it does. This leaves in its wake a major gap in governance that needs to be mindfully and meaningfully addressed if we want to produce change, regulate the military use of AI and its impacts.
This interactive map presents the major gaps in each of the existing arms control treaties and offers insights into where these gaps emerge. By documenting these gaps, this initiative proposes an “Article X,” in the form of a creatively imagined draft intended to offer a starting point for existing international law to engage with AI and its impact in conflict.
Arms control and Artificial Intelligence The governance gap Seven major arms control treaties were designed before the age of AI. Click any treaty below to see all that it covers and all that it misses. What it covers AI gap Coverage matrix This table maps AI capability domains against existing treaties governing arms control to evaluate how well each treaty addresses each domain. No coverage Partial / contested Applicable (with stretch) Emerging dialogue
The unregulated AI capabilities Six domains where no existing treaty provides meaningful coverage. Filter by urgency. Sources: Arms Control Association · CNAS · Human Rights Watch · SIPRI · Campaign to Stop Killer Robots · UN First Committee resolutions (2024–2025) · ICT4Peace · Wassenaar Arrangement Secretariat
Arms control and Artificial Intelligence
The governance gap
Seven major arms control treaties were designed before the age of AI. Click any treaty below to see all that it covers and all that it misses.
What it covers
AI gap
Coverage matrix
This table maps AI capability domains against existing treaties governing arms control to evaluate how well each treaty addresses each domain.
No coverage
Partial / contested
Applicable (with stretch)
Emerging dialogue
The unregulated AI capabilities
Six domains where no existing treaty provides meaningful coverage. Filter by urgency.