Know It Now: How Artificial Intelligence Could Change Conflict
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to create so-called lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), which can locate, target, and kill without human involvement.
But for many, LAWS cross an ethical red line. Critics argue that LAWS remove nuanced decision-making in life-or-death scenarios and could be prone to programming mistakes or hacks. For instance, detractors fear autonomous weapons could malfunction, fail to distinguish between civilian and military targets, or attack disproportionately—all of which could harm civilians and violate international law.
In recent years, numerous Nobel Peace Prize winners, dozens of governments, the Vatican, and over 180 nongovernmental organizations have called for a ban on LAWS. Many others have called for strict limits and regulations around LAWS. In fact, in 2017, over one hundred AI industry leaders—including big names like Elon Musk—published an open letter urging world leaders to regulate AI weaponry.
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