Posted on 02/14/2022 5:03:07 PM PST by devane617
Lethal autonomous weapons systems demand careful consideration but nightmare scenarios of the future won't become reality anytime soon, says a UNSW Canberra military ethicist.
The term 'killer robots' conjures up images of sci-fi scenarios where wars are being fought by Terminator-like soldiers, but according to UNSW Canberra military ethicist Deane-Peter Baker, it's not quite that scary or cinematic.
In fact, killer robots, or lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), may actually save lives on the battlefield.
Associate Professor Baker's latest book, "Should we Ban Killer Robots?," draws from his experience on the International Panel on the Regulation of Autonomous Weapons (IPRAW) from 2017–19.
IPRAW is an international network of researchers tasked with providing non-partisan guidance to the national delegations engaged in the UN debate over whether or not to ban or regulate LAWS.
"This book is my attempt to pull together my views on this topic, which have emerged from my time as an IPRAW panelist and other subsequent policy-focused work on this topic," A/Prof. Baker said.
He explained that there are two main arguments for banning LAWS. One focuses on the potential consequences of allowing LAWS to be used in war.
IT is strange to hear so many still think these are being created only to fight other countries. After witnessing the present day concerns in the USA, Australia, and Canada.
Yes…but the cat is out of the bag…
If you want “Skynet” this is how you get “Skynet”.
I read today that Red China has deployed two types of land robots which carry machine guns. One is fully autonomuos and the ther can ne either autonomous or remote controlled. The Chinese soldiers could not adapt to the frigid high altitude conditions so they use robots in a stand off with Indias Army forces.
The PLA have had these since 2014 and have not used them until now:
“The PLA has two different types of UGV’s: the Sharp Claw and the Mule-200. The former can be controlled by an operator wirelessly in addition to moving on its own, and the latter can act as both an unmanned delivery truck or operate weapons, including mounted firearms.”
See:Photos
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/chinas-army-now-has-killer-robots-meet-sharp-claw-145302
Killer robots are basically a modern version of land mines.
bkmk
Maybe we should infuse each robot with Issac Asimov’s rules for robots.
First Law: A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
Second Law: A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
Third Law: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Those were wonderful stories.
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