DoD Directive 3000.09 (LAWS)
DoD Directive 3000.09 — Autonomy in Weapon Systems
United States · DoDD 3000.09 (2023)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 25, 2023
- Applies to
- Department of Defense components, military services, and DoD contractors developing or fielding autonomous or semi-autonomous weapon systems
- Enforced by
- Office of the Secretary of Defense; Joint Staff; Service Inspectors General
The Defense Department's policy on autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons. Updated in January 2023, it requires every autonomous or semi-autonomous weapon system to allow 'appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force,' undergo a multi-phase senior review before development and fielding, and comply with DoD AI ethical principles.
Who is protected: Civilians and combatants protected under the law of armed conflict; service members held to lawful targeting standards
Legal detail
DoDD 3000.09 (Jan. 25, 2023) supersedes the 2012 directive; establishes the Autonomous Weapon Systems Review Working Group, requires senior-leader review by USD(P), USD(R&E), and CJCS prior to formal development and again before fielding; codifies the 'appropriate levels of human judgment' standard.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | January 25, 2023 |
| Citation | DoDD 3000.09 (2023) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Internal DoD policy: program cancellation; UCMJ accountability for unlawful use of force |
| Topics | government use of AI · automated decision-making · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Agency page | DoD Directive 3000.09 — Autonomy in Weapon Systems (Jan. 25, 2023) |
More AI rules in United States
- Trump AI Innovation & Security EO (June 2026) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform tariffs on… · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- NAIC AI Evaluation Tool Pilot (12 states, 2026) · Proposed / pending
- FTC Proposed Policy Statement — AI Accuracy (July 2026) · Proposed / pending
Related government use of AI rules elsewhere
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) · In effect
- Inver Grove Heights MN data center moratorium amended under lawsuit (2026) · In effect
- San Marcos citywide data center ban (Land Use Matrix amendment) · In effect
- Washington County (MD) 12-month data center moratorium · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.