"Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems – Emerging and Potentially Disruptive Technology"

Abstract

"The renewal of the competition for the super power status has led to the revival of the emphasis on defense planning, by the great powers, on the capabilities intended for so-called high-end conventional, technological sophisticated warfare, which involves large-scale and high-intensity military actions. Weapons that can be linked to waging high-end warfare actually include the military uses of the lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) and artificial intelligence (AI). The connection between robotics, and autonomous systems and AI has the potential to change the nature of warfare. Theoretically, a lethal weapon system should be considered autonomous if it is designed so that it can modify its integrated programming, does not take into account the objectives initially set and modifies its rules of engagement without human intervention. Human judgment will remain essential, but the line between what humans and machines do best will constantly be shifting in the coming years. The most critical dimension of autonomy is the task the machine is performing. There are significant expectations and challenges, opportunities, and risks associated with LAWS across the full range of military operations. LAWS will influence military operations in the future and will have at least an evolutionary – if not revolutionary – effect."