Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping global security, economic structures, and modern warfare, bringing both opportunities and risks. Through dual-use applications spanning civilian and military domains, it raises urgent questions about governance, ethical responsibilities, and geopolitics. A central concern is the emergence of AI-based weapons, known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). Proponents argue they enhance efficiency and reduce risks to soldiers, but critics stress ethical dilemmas, accountability gaps, and algorithmic bias. The absence of clear regulations, coupled with disputes over definitions such as “meaningful human control” and the unpredictability of AI in warfare, complicates global governance and heightens risks of escalation and humanitarian law violations.

The regulatory landscape remains fragmented. While the “Global North” continues to shape most international norms, the “Global South” remains underrepresented, reinforcing inequalities in technology, resources, and decision-making. The Global South faces barriers to influencing governance due to limited financial and technical resources, reduced staff in multilateral forums, and structural disadvantages. International civil society campaigns emphasize the need for multistakeholder collaboration and have acted as promising platforms bridging the dialogue between North and South. Defense industries, another key actor, play a critical role in shaping responsible practices.

This paper examines these three often-overlooked dimensions in AI regulation fora: the limited capacity of the Global South, the role of civil society, and the responsibility of defense industries. It argues these stakeholders are indispensable to ensure AI contributes to global security rather than deepening inequality.