Anna Lucas

Background

About Anna Lucas

I am an upcoming 2025 Graduate of Rice University's Master of Global Affairs program, currently doing internships researching international law, the regulation of emerging and critical technologies, and multilateral arms negotiations. I will begin my JD at NYU School of Law this Fall 2025. I am an aspiring international lawyer with a strong interest in international security, tech policy, and the role of international organizations in maintaining the of rule of law. Currently, I work as a Graduate Research Assistant focusing on multilateral arms agreements, U.S-Iran negotiations, and nuclear policy. Additionally, I serve as a UN Speechwriting and Research Intern at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency specializing in digital governance. My master's capstone project investigates the adequacy and challenges of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) in effectively regulating the deployment and use of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). Employing detailed case studies from the Israel-Gaza and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, my research critically evaluates the principle of attribution under international humanitarian law, analyzing how the integration of AI into military decision-making processes complicates traditional frameworks of accountability. By synthesizing insights from investigative journalism, expert perspectives, and historical case studies, my research aims to formulate robust and actionable governance recommendations to effectively address the emerging regulatory challenges posed by military technologies in a geopolitically competitive global landscape.