AI-driven drones raise child casualty rates as explosives claim thousands worldwide
New Save the Children data shows children make up almost half of civilian deaths and injuries from landmines and explosive remnants between 2020-2025, while AI-enabled drones now cause two-thirds of recent civilian harm.
A Save the Children study covering 2020-2025 finds that over 12,000 children have been killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants, accounting for almost half of all civilian casualties in that period. The analysis notes that air-launched explosives, particularly those delivered by attack drones, were responsible for roughly two-thirds of civilian harm worldwide in the most recent year. Drone attacks on schools rose dramatically in Ukraine, while in Sudan drones caused the majority of child casualties early this year.
The report includes a Gaza incident where a 10-year-old boy named Khaleel was badly wounded after retrieving a football from a dangerous zone, resulting in lasting vision and hearing loss. It also cites UN findings of possible US war crimes involving AI-aided targeting in Iran, and calls from figures like Harry, Duke of Sussex, for greater protection of children in conflict. Save the Children urges governments to update legal safeguards to match the rapid evolution of autonomous weapons and AI-driven warfare.
Why it matters
Children are increasingly caught in AI-driven warfare, demanding urgent updates to international protection rules.
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