The need for a lexicon for ArtificiaI Intelligence.
This side event to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly First Committee will discuss key conceptual, methodological and practical considerations for developing an AI security lexicon. The need for a lexicon for AI has been discussed on several recent occasions, including in the informal exchanges on AI in the military domain held in June 2026. While developing a lexicon presents technical and political challenges, many States recognize its practical utility: a lexicon can disambiguate and enhance familiarity with AI security topics across policy communities, thus promoting shared understandings. In 2026 and 2027, UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security will bring together a multidisciplinary and geographically diverse group of experts to develop an AI security lexicon. It will serve as a repository of key terminology, explaining and clarifying fundamental concepts and, where needed, outlining different definitions and interpretations. The aim is to prov...