Fear Killer Robots

2033-3.png

Despite overall opposition to allowing robots onto battlefields, most British adults (54%) expect them to be used in many battles within 20 years.

Recently, a broad group of several thousand academics, legal scholars, roboticists, and scientific luminaries – including Stephen Hawking – released an open letter warning that efforts to develop autonomous weapons could unleash a Pandora’s box of ills, from ethnic cleansing to pervasive arms races. Certainly, this is not a world in which any of us would like to live. But nor is it a world that rises inevitably from the development of autonomous weapons.  

However, on the contrary, autonomous weapons could shape a better world, one in which the fog of war thins, if ever so slightly. These systems are not subject to the fatigue, combat stress, and other factors that occasionally cloud human judgment. And if responsibly developed and properly constrained, they could ensure that missions are executed strictly according to the rules of engagement and the commander’s intent. A world with autonomous weapons could be one where the principles of international humanitarian law (IHL) are not only respected but also strengthened.

The key to avoiding the catastrophes predicted in the letter is restricting what such a weapon can and can’t do. It might, for example, be allowed to operate only for a limited time or in a limited geographic area — perhaps underwater or in other areas in which civilians are not present. This would, in turn, increase a commander’s control over the weapon and strengthen accountability for the system’s use – a key concern among advocates of a ban on autonomous weapons. These machines could also be designed to target only military hardware, thereby strengthening adherence to the IHL principles of proportionality and distinction and further reducing civilian casualties.

These positive outcomes are possible only if the international community offers careful stewardship. First and most importantly, states will need to agree upon a definition of “autonomous weapons.” At the recent UN meeting on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems, governments and non-governmental organizations expressed widely divergent, and frequently incompatible, notions of autonomy and autonomous weapons. 

Some argued that existing systems qualify as autonomous, while others, such as the United Kingdom, argued that they “do not and may never” exist. Clarifying the definition will be critical to advancing the dialogue and to establishing responsible design requirements and operating parameters.

Second, governments must ensure that meaningful human control exists over their autonomous weapons. As Michael Horowitz and Paul Scharre have written in their primer on the subject, this should include standards that help operators make deliberate, legal, and moral decisions about the use of force.

Third, governments should implement strict testing and evaluation standards to ensure that any weapon that can autonomously pick a target or begin an engagement performs as intended, and that procedures for its use are clear to operators. In order to ensure that such systems continue to operate in accordance with their design features, governments should agree to periodic testing in realistic operating environments.

Finally, it will be essential for governments to further explore the ways in which accountability for the use of autonomous weapons can be established and enforced. While such an undertaking will be undoubtedly challenging, it will be critical in ensuring that the use of these systems adheres to IHL and reducing potential risks. 

Despite the somewhat breathless tone of the letter, its signatories draw attention to an important technological development that the international community would do well to address in a measured and calm way. Autonomous weapons will never remove the human dimension of warfare, but if we are careful, they just might thin the fog.

DefenseOne

 

 

« In The War of 2050, The Robots Call The Shots
UK MPs are No longer Exempt from Surveillance »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Our Supplier Directory lists 6,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Wall Street Technology Association (WSTA)

Wall Street Technology Association (WSTA)

The Wall Street Technology Association (WSTA) provides financial industry technology professionals with forums to learn from and connect with each other.

Infoblox

Infoblox

Infoblox solutions help businesses automate complex network control functions to reduce costs, increase security and maximize uptime.

Westminster eForum

Westminster eForum

Wesrtminster eForum runs a series of conferences on matters relating to the UKs Digital Strategy. Topics include Smart Cities and Cyber Security.

Slovak Security Policy Institute (SSPI)

Slovak Security Policy Institute (SSPI)

Slovak Security Policy Institute is an independent non-governmental organization that focuses on research and analysis of security challenges including defence and cyber security.

Alyne

Alyne

Alyne is a Munich based 2B RegTech offering organisations risk insight capabilities through a Software as a Service.

Center for Cyber & Homeland Security (CCHS)

Center for Cyber & Homeland Security (CCHS)

The Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at Auburn University is a nonpartisan think tank that works to develop innovative strategies to address current and future threats to the United States.

Africa ICS Cyber Security Conference

Africa ICS Cyber Security Conference

Africa's largest ICS Cyber Security Conference and Expo. The only platform that will proudly present top level B2B and B2C networking opportunities.

German Israeli Partnership Accelerator (GIPA)

German Israeli Partnership Accelerator (GIPA)

GIPA is based on two pillars: it is an incubator aimed at young academics and a program to transfer cybersecurity expertise to corporate partners.

Onclave Networks

Onclave Networks

Onclave Networks is a global cybersecurity leader, transforming the future of securing all IT/OT devices and systems.

MTI

MTI

MTI is a solutions and service provider, specialising in data & cyber security, datacentre modernisation, modern workplace, IT managed services and IT transformation services.

ReasonLabs

ReasonLabs

ReasonLabs have created a next-generation anti-virus that is enterprise grade, yet accessible to any personal device around the world.

Cyware

Cyware

Cyware is the only company building Virtual Cyber Fusion Centers enabling end-to-end threat intelligence automation, sharing, and unprecedented threat response for organizations globally.

MicroAge

MicroAge

Powered by five decades of experience, lasting partnerships, client relationships, and the values that guide us daily, MicroAge is here to help you secure, accelerate, and transform your business.

Virtual Infosec Africa (VIA)

Virtual Infosec Africa (VIA)

Virtual InfoSec Africa (VIA) is a wholly-owned Ghanaian company specializing in information security and cybersecurity solutions and services.

Communications Fraud Control Association (CFCA)

Communications Fraud Control Association (CFCA)

CFCA is the premier International Association for fraud risk management, fraud prevention and profitability control.

Versent

Versent

Versent is an Australian-born technology company, focused on architecting, building & operating cloud native applications, data streams, platforms, and services.