The United Nations General Assembly has adopted by a majority vote a resolution stressing the urgent need to address challenges and concerns raised by lethal autonomous weapons systems, or LAWS.

Such systems use artificial intelligence to select and attack targets without human intervention. Their use on the battlefield could increase civilian casualties.

The resolution submitted to the General Assembly session on Friday expresses concern about the possible negative impact of LAWS on global security.

It also asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to submit a report that summarizes the challenges posed by the systems.

The resolution was supported by 152 countries, including Japan and the United States. Four countries, including Russia and India, voted against. China, North Korea, Israel and eight other nations abstained.

It was the first General Assembly resolution related to LAWS, amid efforts by countries around the world to develop weapons systems using AI.