Introducing our new Executive Director

Stop Killer Robots is excited to announce its new Executive Director Nicole van Rooijen who will lead our global coalition as we enter a new era for our campaign. Nicole, who is based in Geneva, joins us from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) where she served as the ICRC’s Head of Protection for the Asia Pacific region with over a decade of work at the international organisation where she focused on safeguarding civilians in times of armed conflict both on the ground and in high-level negotiations. 

As Executive Director, Nicole will lead our global civil society coalition in its mission to create new international law on autonomous weapons and ensure human control in the use of force.

On joining Stop Killer Robots, Nicole says:

Through my field experience, I have gained a deep understanding of the human cost of war and the urgent need for stronger adherence to international laws, as well as the development of new legal frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements and their use in military and law enforcement operations. Stop Killer Robots’ work is crucial to establishing these safeguards and protecting civilians in conflict and other contexts, and I’m proud to be leading this important global campaign.”

Over the last few years there has been a growing trend of autonomy in weapons systems, an increase in the integration of artificial intelligence in warfare, surveillance, policing and border control. 2024 alone demonstrated the grave humanitarian consequences that arise from the reduction of human control and decision making in conflict. Now more than ever, international legal safeguards and norms are needed to protect humanity and ensure that machines can never make life-or-death decisions.. 

Our campaign is entering a new stage of work to prevent automated harm and close the gap between the innovation and regulation of emerging technologies that have the potential to cause significant humanitarian consequences.  

We are thrilled to have Nicole join Stop Killer Robots and look forward to how her expertise and direction will shape our work in the months to come. 

You can follow Nicole and Stop Killer Robots on Bluesky.