On 24 July 2026, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and Stop Killer Robots held the first of a two-part awareness-raising series on autonomous weapons systems (AWS) and other harms related to artificial intelligence (AI).
The 90-minute online internal workshop aimed to raise awareness within our organization of the urgent and rapidly increasing challenges posed by AWS, as well as the positive role that civil society, including SGI, can play in addressing them. The session was simultaneously interpreted in English and Japanese and the attendance reflected a growing interest in this important issue within the organization.
The workshop took place shortly after SGI released its statement, “Autonomous Weapons Systems: Ensuring Human Control Based on Respect for the Dignity of Life,” on 23 July. The statement calls for “the urgent establishment of an international regulatory framework governing AWS, including those employing AI, and a comprehensive prohibition on systems designed to select and engage human targets.”
Challenges posed by autonomous weapons
Moderated by Hayley Ramsay-Jones of the SGI Office for UN Affairs (OUNA), the session opened with remarks from Patrick Wilcken of Amnesty International, speaking on behalf of the Stop Killer Robots Steering Committee. During his remarks, Wilcken acknowledged SGI’s ongoing efforts and announced that SGI would be joining the Stop Killer Robots Steering Committee as one of its newest members, marking an important milestone in the partnership.
Moderator Hayley Ramsay-Jones of the SGI Office for UN Affairs.
Hirotsugu Terasaki, SGI Vice General Director, then shared remarks reaffirming SGI’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by AWS and stated, “If attacks involving civilians were to become semi-automated in conflicts through the unrestrained use of AWS, the fundamental nature of conflict would be radically transformed and the restraining force of human conscience, which has long served as a foundation supporting international law, would be entirely lost.”
Elizabeth Minor of Stop Killer Robots subsequently gave three presentations introducing participants to the campaign and the wider issues surrounding autonomous weapons. The presentations explored what autonomous weapons systems are; the key concerns and risks associated with these systems; and what is needed to address them.
Presenter Elizabeth Minor of Stop Killer Robots.
Each presentation was followed by a question and answer session, allowing participants to explore the issues in greater depth. Questions ranged from UN processes and the importance of definitions and priorities, to accountability, responsibility for harm and responses to arguments made in support of autonomous weapons.
These questions reflect some of the wider humanitarian, legal and ethical concerns surrounding autonomous weapons systems.
The meeting ended with concluding remarks from Patrick Wilcken who thanked participants for their active engagement.
Patrick Wilcken of Amnesty International speaking on behalf of the Stop Killer Robots Steering Committee.
A resounding commitment to the dignity of life
SGI has been a member of the Stop Killer Robots coalition since 2018 and has worked alongside civil society organizations, governments, faith communities and other partners to raise awareness of the humanitarian, ethical and legal concerns posed by autonomous weapons.
The workshop provided an opportunity for SGI staff to deepen their understanding of this rapidly developing issue and to consider how civil society can contribute further to ensure meaningful human control over weapons systems.
As discussions on autonomous weapons continue within the international community, SGI will continue to work with the Stop Killer Robots coalition and others towards the establishment of effective international law and a future in which decisions concerning human life are not left to machines.
The second part of this learning series will take place later this year.
