In today’s session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA), one of the agendas precisely focused on the emerging threats associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and more specifically on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. Global consideration of this issue highlighted the other dangers which the development of AI portends, including the militarization or war robotics featuring such devices as drones.
The session began with the United States’ position on the use of AI drones around the globe. The delegate from the United States presented about a particular AI drone which they have refined, in the process showcasing the capabilities and the fears posed by the technology.
Following up on this, Sweden levied a question against the US asking, “Is there any law in place to take care of the abusers of these weapons?” This was likely to shift the discussion to whether a competent body exists to deal with the ethical or the legal limits on the application of AI when extended to the battlefield. As such, there was an admission of shortfalls in the laws in the United States on the use of such models, but that there is adequate reasoning for their use.
The discussion took a new dimension with Pakistan moving a motion calling on the UN to consider an outright prohibition on the use of lethal autonomous weapons. Pakistan stressed the need for the international community to be cognizant of the potential consequences of such technologies being irregularly used in modern day warfare and to put up some checks and balances to curb the menace of this potentially revolutionizing method of modern warfare.
Jashanjot Singh
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