UN Considering Ethics of Autonomous Killer Robots
It may sound like the plot of a Terminator film prequel, but human rights groups have petitioned the UN to ban the development and use of “lethal autonomous robots,” and the UN is reviewing the matter. Such robots are pre-programmed to kill people or destroy targets and operate autonomously when deployed, raising ethical and moral questions. One issue under consideration is that of accountability. Who is held responsible if one of these robots fails to distinguish between civilians and combatants on the battlefield? A UN report on the matter is calling for a moratorium on the robots’ use while such questions are debated. More… Discuss
Related articles
- ‘Killer robots’ which are able to identify and kill targets without human input should be banned, UN urged (independent.co.uk)
- UN mulls ethics of ‘killer robots’ (bbc.co.uk)
- Stop killer robots now, UN asks – Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au)
- UN panel hears appeal for freeze on use of lethal autonomous robots (abc.net.au)
- UN investigator seeks ‘world moratorium’ on killer robots (abc.net.au)
- Lobbyists call for ban on ‘killer robots’ (sitehighway.com)
- Russia Building ‘Terrorist Killing’ Robo-Cop (forbes.com)
- UN Human Rights Council talks ‘killer robots’ (panarmenian.net)
