Topic Summary

Artificial Intelligence has gripped and influenced almost every sector of the world since its arrival, and war is no different. Fully autonomous weapon systems capable of engaging targets without the approval or oversight of humans are a thing of the present. Many major military powers are actively investing in AI-driven warfare technologies; whether this is for better or for worse, is for the delegates of this committee to decide. Moreso, the speed at which AI progresses has left regulation behind, and there is a growing security dilemma as nations race to develop increasingly sophisticated AI weapons to avoid falling behind.

Fully addressing this topic requires careful consideration of ethical, legal, and technological dimensions. Delegates must decide whether autonomous weapons are a protected part of war or whether the risk of no human oversight is too great when civilian lives are on the line, leading to a need for airtight solutions to protect the people of all nations. Furthermore, delegates must tackle difficult questions such as: Who is accountable for AI mistakes in war? What types of AI autonomous research should be protected if autonomous weaponry is not? As warfare enters a new era, the members of the Disarmament and International Security Committee must be prepared to offer modern solutions to modern problems in order to ensure that technological advancement does not outpace humanity’s ability to control it.

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the Disarmament and International Security Committee for the 2027 session of Harvard National Model United Nations. I am beyond excited to serve this committee, and I cannot wait to see what collaborative and innovative solutions you all can work together to produce.

My name is Levi Develice. I am a sophomore currently living in Hollis Hall in Harvard Yard, and I am pursuing a double concentration in Computer Science and Economics. I have loved competing and staffing Model UN conferences since I started my MUN career in my junior year of high school. So far at Harvard, I have directed and crisis-directed at both iterations of HMUN Online 2025, I was an Assistant Director at HNMUN 2026 for the wonderful Rappers Gone Rogue committee, and I directed the DISEC at HMUN India 2026. I am also a member of Harvard’s Intercollegiate Model United Nations team, for which I have represented Harvard at conferences in Los Angeles and Montreal. I am extremely excited to use what I’ve learned throughout my extensive MUN history to create the best possible experience for you all.

Outside of MUN, I spend my time working on computer science passion projects, rock climbing, reading, and a plethora of other sports and activities. My current computer science project is something I am working on with two of my friends here, an AI portfolio manager that makes trades based on the last 30 years of financial data, and I am looking forward to interning for a software company in my hometown of Seattle, WA, this summer.

I’m so glad that you all decided/were placed in the greatest committee at HNMUN 2027, the Disarmament and International Security Committee! I am here to answer questions at any stage of your journey with this committee. Good luck with your research. I cannot wait to meet you all in person!

Sincerely,

Levi Develice

Director, Disarmament and International Security Committee

disec@hnmun.org

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

I am extremely excited to welcome you all to the 2027 session of Harvard National Model United Nations, and I can’t wait to serve as your director for DISEC!

My name is Ozzie Comer, and I am from Plattsburgh, New York. I am currently a sophomore at Harvard College, where I plan to concentrate in Government and Philosophy. I have been involved in Model UN since high school, and I have loved every minute of the experience. At Harvard, I am a member of the Harvard Intercollegiate Model UN team, as well as an Assistant Director for both the HMUN and HNMUN conferences. Serving as both a Director and a delegate has been an amazing experience every step of the way. Outside of Model UN, I enjoy spending time outdoors through hiking, running, and camping whenever I can.

I am thrilled to direct the Disarmament and International Security Committee. The topic of AI in warfare raises many important ethical, moral, and logistical questions, and I am excited to see delegates address them through creative and comprehensive solutions. I value the competitive side of MUN and respect delegates who put in the effort; however, I also appreciate those who can balance the competitive and collaborative nature of debate. As delegates, you will be evaluated on how well you balance these two aspects while still presenting and passing effective solutions.

Sincerely,

Ozzie Comer

Director, Disarmament and International Security Committee

ga@hnmun.org