The Evolution of LAWS
This semi-autonomous Israeli missile defense system requires human operators to determine the target, but machines complete the attack.
What is the Iron Dome?
This international forum, consisting of 125 member states, has struggled to reach consensus on the regulation of LAWS since its sixth review conference.
What is the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)?
This world power, led by Xi Jinping, is aggressively pursuing LAWS as part of its ambition to remake the global order.
What is China?
This term refers to the AI-enabled, fully autonomous weapons capable of identifying, selecting, and engaging targets without human intervention.
What are Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems or LAWS?
This global body is responsible for regulating international humanitarian law and has published documents discussing the implications of autonomous weapons.
What is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)?
The progression from semi-autonomous to fully autonomous weapons is exemplified by the evolution of this military equipment, used extensively by the United States in the 2000s.
What are military drones?
This campaign, launched in 2013, calls for a pre-emptive international treaty banning the development, production, and use of fully autonomous weaponry.
What is the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots?
This country, despite its relatively small economy, is focusing on AI and autonomous weapons to assert dominance in regions like the Arctic.
What is Russia?
These autonomous robots, often used in science fiction, are now a reality, with Russia confirming their manufacturing for warfare.
What are anthropomorphic robots or killer robots?
This Asian country has become notable for using remote-controlled AI-assisted technology for military purposes, including the assassination of a nuclear scientist in 2020.
What is Israel?
This 2021 UN Security Council report detailed the use of fully autonomous drones by Turkey in this North African country.
What is Libya?
Critics of LAWS argue that the decision to use lethal force should always remain with these actors, ensuring accountability.
What are human actors?
This nation's former defense official, Robert Work, argued that the United States has a "moral imperative" to pursue autonomous weapons, citing their potential to make warfare more humane.
What is the United States?
In 2021, this Australian company announced an agreement to demonstrate an uncrewed vehicle named Jaeger-C, described as a "mobile robotic mine."
What is GaardTech?
This principle, crucial in international humanitarian law, is a key concern when assessing the legality and ethical use of LAWS, focusing on the distinction between combatants and civilians.
What is the principle of distinction?
This country's rapid expansion of its domestic drone industry has included a notable acquisition of an Italian company that manufactures military-grade drones for NATO.
What is China?
This principle, central to international humanitarian law, becomes critically important in discussions about LAWS, as it concerns distinguishing between combatant and civilian targets.
What is the principle of distinction?
This region, rich in resources but inhospitable, is a strategic focus for Russia, potentially using autonomous weapons for asserting dominance.
What is the Arctic?
In the context of LAWS, this term refers to weapons like drones that can hover over targets for hours before striking.
What are "loitering munitions"?
This European country briefly supported a pre-emptive ban on LAWS under the directive of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
What is Canada?
This term refers to the autonomous AI-driven military equipment capable of launching themselves over obstacles to engage targets, as seen in an OpenAI project.
What are "AI-driven bots" or "autonomous agents"?
The potential for these kinds of attacks, where LAWS are turned against their owners, is a major security concern with the proliferation of autonomous weapons.
What are cyber or hacking attacks?
This international body is responsible for developing and enforcing laws of war, making it a key player in the regulation of LAWS.
What is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)?
This term describes the capability of some LAWS to carry out suicide attacks, carrying explosives to their target.
What are "suicide or kamikaze drones"?
This global treaty, regulating the use of specific types of conventional weapons, has been a key platform for discussing the regulation of LAWS.
What is the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)?