Nations Cannot Agree On Rules To Regulate The Use Of ‘Killer Robots’ In Future Wars

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ARCHIVE PHOTO: A model of ECA Robotics’ K-Ster Mine Killer is displayed at the MAST Asia 2015, defence exhibition and conference in Yokohama, south of Tokyo May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

Reuters: Nations dawdle on agreeing rules to control ‘killer robots’ in future wars

Nations are investing in developing lethal autonomous weapons systems which can identify, target, and kill a person all on their own – but there are no international laws governing their use.

NAIROBI, Jan 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Countries are rapidly developing “killer robots” – machines with artificial intelligence (AI) that independently kill – but are moving at a snail’s pace on agreeing global rules over their use in future wars, warn technology and human rights experts.

From drones and missiles to tanks and submarines, semi-autonomous weapons systems have been used for decades to eliminate targets in modern day warfare – but they all have human supervision.

Nations such as the United States, Russia and Israel are now investing in developing lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) which can identify, target, and kill a person all on their own – but to date there are no international laws governing their use.

“Some kind of human control is necessary … Only humans can make context-specific judgements of distinction, proportionality and precautions in combat,” said Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

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WNU Editor: The genie is out of the box on this one.