AI safety and security group Americans for Responsible Innovation has created an interactive site providing access to "military and defense AI governance frameworks" in 45 countries, providing a unique tool for tracking artificial intelligence defense policies in the United States, China and across the world.

“ARI is launching a first-of-its-kind map of how governments from across the globe are governing AI in military systems. As AI actively shapes conflicts from Iran to Ukraine, the new interactive website offers a timely look at how nations are actually translating AI into real-world military policy,” the group said May 4 in unveiling the “Global Defense AI Policy Landscape” website.

The site links to documents in the covered countries in policy areas including rules around deployment, “adoption and intent of use,” acquisition and procurement, ethics, safety and security requirements, and international cooperation and interoperability.

ARI says the data turned up by the new tool illuminates key points including:

• Policy is accelerating, but unevenly -- there’s been a sharp uptick in activity over the past 2 years, with major powers formalizing positions at very different speeds
• Military alliances are struggling to align -- even close allies lack aligned standards, which could complicate joint operations and coalition warfare
• Enforcement is the weak link -- much of what exists today is guidance or political signaling, not binding requirements tied to acquisition or deployment

ARI research analyst Michael Lee said, “AI is already shaping the battlefield, but until now it’s been difficult to see how governments have addressed responsible governance regarding the use and integration of AI in military applications.”

Lee said, "This tool gives policymakers and researchers recent trends and real-time picture of how countries are approaching AI in military systems. It highlights where progress is happening, where potential gaps remain, and where misalignment between countries could create real risks in mutual cooperation and coalition operations."

Among other key takeaways, ARI said:

• Russia and China’s policies strongly converge, and both have virtually no interoperability frameworks with partners.
• The US leads the world in policies regarding the adoption of AI and its intent to use AI across various applications. However allied states like the UK and France have stricter and more robust ethical frameworks that regulate the development and use of AI in military contexts.
• 2024 saw the most policy development globally, with over twice the number as any other year and a large focus on addressing [Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems]. This increase can be attributed to a high number of multilateral frameworks, such as conferences, summits, and UN general assemblies, through which many states submitted their views.
• While the global south is strong in developing AI policy for private sector and civil applications, many states trail in substance relevant to how AI is to be used in the future of warfare.

ARI says the site will be updated periodically.