Listen to Episode Here

Show Notes

Why are so many AI researchers so worried about lethal autonomous weapons? What makes autonomous weapons so much worse than any other weapons we have today? And why is it so hard for countries to come to a consensus about autonomous weapons? Not surprisingly, the short answer is: it’s complicated.

In this month's podcast, Ariel spoke with experts from a variety of perspectives on the current status of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), where we are headed, and the feasibility of banning these weapons. Guests include ex-Pentagon advisor Paul Scharre (3:40), artificial intelligence professor Toby Walsh (40:51), Article 36 founder Richard Moyes (53:30), Campaign to Stop Killer Robots founder Mary Wareham and Bonnie Docherty of Human Rights Watch (1:03:38), and ethicist and co-founder of the International Committee for Robot Arms Control, Peter Asaro (1:32:39).

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• the history of semi-autonomous weaponry in World War II and the Cold War (including the Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile)
• how major military powers like China, Russia, and the US are imbuing AI in weapons today
• why it's so difficult to define LAWS and draw a line in the sand
• the relationship between LAWS proliferation and war crimes
• FLI's recent pledge, where over 200 organizations and over 2800 individuals pledged not to assist in developing or using LAWS
• comparing LAWS to blinding lasers and chemical weapons
• why there is hope for the UN to address this issue

Publications discussed in this episode include:

• Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War
• Losing Humanity: The Case Against Killer Robots
• Meaningful Human Control, Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Weapons
• FAQ on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Pledge
• Research and Reports on Lethal Autonomous Weapons

You can listen to the podcast above, and read the full transcript below. You can check out previous podcasts on SoundCloud, iTunes, GooglePlay, and Stitcher.

If you work with artificial intelligence in any way, and if you believe that the final decision to take a life should remain a human responsibility rather than falling to a machine, then please consider signing this pledge, either as an individual or on behalf of your organization.