If youre concerned about killer robots in the military, brace yourself for their arrival in civilian hands.
Activists, however, are pessimistic about the outcome.
Whilesome countrieshave endorsed new laws, the worlds leading military powers dont appear enthusiastic.
The US, for instance, has rebuffed calls to regulate lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs).
Instead, American officialshave proposeddeveloping a non-binding code of conduct.
This may outline some principles of use, but there would be no legal obligations to abide by them.
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China and Russia have also shown little appetite for a global treaty.
Ultimately, the opposition to new rules may prove self-destructive.
Theyll be small, cheap and light like smartphones, and incredibly versatile and powerful.
Its clearly not in the national security interest of these countries to legalize super-powerful weapons of mass destruction.
The FLI hasproduced a filmthat envisions the future of these unregulated slaughterbots.
The images are nightmarish.
This dystopian vision could one day become a reality.
LAWsmay have already killed soldierswithout gaining permission from a human operator.
Its also much more effective for penetrating defenses.
Because pretty soon anyone who wants to knock off anyone for any reason will be able to do this.
In time, he hopes LAWs become so stigmatized that every military power is pressured to agree on prohibitions.
If they dont, AI weapons of mass destruction may enter the mainstream.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
